Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each. We’ll also break down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in.

Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic will play in his 1,300th NHL game Thursday when the San Jose Sharks face the Columbus Blue Jackets

The Fourth Period: The San Jose Sharks have some pending UFAs that they could look to move between now and the March 7th NHL trade deadline – forwards Mikael Granlund, Luke Kunin and Nico Sturm, defencemen Cody Ceci and Jan Rutta, and goaltenders Alexandar Georgiev and Vitek Vanecek.

Game Preview, 1/10: Utah Hockey Club vs. San Jose Sharks WHEN: 7:00 p.m. MT WHERE: Delta Center - Salt Lake City, Utah TV: SEG+, UtahHC+, Utah 16 | RADIO: KSL Sports Zone 97.5 FM, NHL App

The Blue Jackets will be looking for revenge tonight as they welcome in the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks won the prior meeting this season by a score of 2-1 back in November. But this is a different Columbus team from the last time San Jose saw them.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Tonight, the San Jose Sharks take on one of the surprise teams in the league, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one,

For example, Columbus occupies a playoff position in January for the first time in years, thanks in part to their first five-game winning streak since Jan. 11-22, 2020. But perhaps the most encouraging sign has come in the way the Blue Jackets have won the last three games.

Sharks end December without home win after shutout loss to Flyers "Sharks Postgame Live" analysts Alan Hoshida and Mark Smith highlight the pivotal second period of San Jose's 4-0

Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko scored in the shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets rallied to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night.