Tampa Bay Lightning vs
San Jose SharksPredictions & Preview

Tampa Bay Lightning Set to Face San Jose Sharks in Cross-Conference Showdown, Favored to Win Despite Recent Loss

On Thursday, January 2, 2025, the Tampa Bay Lightning will face the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose in a cross-conference battle, with puck drop scheduled for 10:30 PM ET. This will be the second and final matchup of the season between the two teams, with the Lightning dominating the Sharks 8-1 in their previous meeting on December 5. Tampa Bay is favored to win, opening at -265 and the line has not moved. For more insight and predictions regarding this Lightning vs. Sharks game, continue reading.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Lightning -265 | Sharks +220
• Spread: Lightning -1.5 (-105) | Sharks +1.5 (-115)
• Total: Over/Under 6.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 73%.

Tampa Bay vs San Jose Stats

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning suffered a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens after two consecutive wins. The team was outshot and struggled on power plays with 0-for-3 conversions. Goalie Jonas Johansson had a tough outing, and Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start in the next game against the Sharks. Despite the recent loss, Tampa Bay is ranked 1 in offense, 10 in defense, and holds a 20-12-2 record for the season. For sports wagering options, consider checking out the best sports betting promos.

San Jose Sharks Analysis

In summary, the San Jose Sharks have been struggling recently, winning only one of their last 12 games and extending their losing streak to eight games with a 4-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Goalie Alexandar Georgiev has particularly struggled since joining the team in December. The Sharks have a poor defensive record, allowing 3.55 goals per game and giving up the most power-play opportunities in the league. Offensively, they are ranked 26th, scoring an average of 2.63 goals per game. The team's power ranking is 24, with an overall record of 11-23-6. The Tampa Bay Lightning have not fared well against the Sharks in their recent matchups. To improve their performance, they may need the assistance of top NHL cappers.

Tampa Bay Lightning Look to Bounce Back Against San Jose Sharks With Return of Andrei Vasilevskiy

The Tampa Bay Lightning will face the San Jose Sharks following three days of rest after a surprising loss to the Canadiens. Star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to return to the crease, adding strength to Tampa Bay's lineup as they aim to secure a victory against the struggling Sharks. With the highest-scoring offense in the NHL and Vasilevskiy's formidable skills in goal, the Lightning are well-positioned for success. While the Sharks may turn to Yaroslav Askarov in net, his performance statistics suggest that he may struggle against Tampa Bay's offensive power. San Jose's defensive line may face challenges containing the Lightning, who have demonstrated a superior shooting percentage. Historically, Tampa Bay has dominated in previous matchups against San Jose, highlighting the formidable challenge the Sharks will face in the upcoming game.

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