Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 1/2/2025 10:30 PM EST

We have your Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Tampa Bay Lightning hit the road to face the San Jose Sharks.

Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Tampa Bay Lightning -260 (FanDuel) / San Jose Sharks +220 (DraftKings)
Best Puck Line Odds: 1.5 - Tampa Bay Lightning -105 (bet365) / San Jose Sharks -115 (bet365)
Best Total Odds: 6.5 - Under -110 (DraftKings) / Over -108 (FanDuel)

Game Info

Date: 1/2/2025
Time: 10:30 PM EST
Location: SAP Center at San Jose
TV: ESPN+

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the past two seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the San Jose Sharks have faced off three times, with Tampa Bay emerging victorious in all three encounters. The games were played between October 2023 and December 2024. In these matchups, the home team won twice, while the visiting team secured a win once. Tampa Bay consistently covered the spread in all three games, while San Jose failed to do so. The total score went over the set line once and stayed under twice. Across these games, Tampa Bay demonstrated a strong offensive performance, consistently outshooting San Jose and maintaining a higher power play efficiency.

The most recent game between these two teams took place on December 5, 2024, with Tampa Bay hosting San Jose. Tampa Bay dominated the game, winning 8-1. The Lightning took an early lead, scoring five goals in the first period alone, with contributions from Cam Atkinson, Conor Geekie, and Brandon Hagel, among others. Tampa Bay continued to extend their lead in the second period with goals from Anthony Cirelli and Nick Perbix. San Jose managed to score their only goal early in the third period through Alexander Wennberg, but Tampa Bay's Nick Paul responded shortly after to finalize the score. Tampa Bay had 35 shots on goal compared to San Jose's 21 and displayed a power play efficiency of 50%, converting one of their two opportunities, while San Jose failed to capitalize on their three power play chances.

In the previous two games, Tampa Bay also showcased their superiority over San Jose. On March 21, 2024, Tampa Bay won 4-1 as the visiting team, with a strong third period where they scored three goals. Earlier, on October 26, 2023, Tampa Bay secured a 6-0 victory at home, with Jonas Johansson achieving a shutout. Throughout these games, Tampa Bay consistently outperformed San Jose in key areas such as shots on goal, blocks, and faceoffs. The Lightning's ability to maintain defensive solidity while capitalizing on offensive opportunities has been a significant factor in their success against the Sharks.

Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to face off against the San Jose Sharks in what promises to be an intriguing matchup at the SAP Center. The Lightning, currently holding a 20-12-2 record, are positioned seventh in the Eastern Conference with 42 points. They are coming off a strong performance in their previous encounter with the Sharks, where they secured a commanding 8-1 victory. This win was characterized by a dominant first period, where Tampa Bay netted five goals, showcasing their offensive prowess.

Historically, the Lightning have had the upper hand against the Sharks, boasting a 28-20-3 all-time record, including a 13-5-1 mark since the 2014-15 season. Key players like Brayden Point, who contributed four assists in their last meeting, and Nikita Kucherov, who has consistently been a top performer against San Jose, will be crucial in maintaining this dominance. Additionally, Andrei Vasilevskiy, with his impressive .925 save percentage in 10 career starts against the Sharks, will be a formidable presence in goal.

On the other hand, the San Jose Sharks are struggling this season, sitting at 15th in the Western Conference with an 11-23-6 record. They are currently enduring an eight-game losing streak, a period marked by a lack of offensive output and defensive lapses. Despite the promising start of rookie Macklin Celebrini, who has tied for the most goals among rookies, the Sharks have been unable to find consistency. The absence of forward William Eklund due to injury further compounds their challenges.

As the Lightning aim to continue their winning streak against the Sharks, they will look to capitalize on San Jose's vulnerabilities. The Sharks, meanwhile, will need to find a way to break their losing streak and rediscover their form if they hope to challenge a well-rounded Tampa Bay team. With the Lightning's recent form and historical success against the Sharks, they enter this matchup as the favorites, poised to extend their winning record.

Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the clear favorites to win against the San Jose Sharks, and the moneyline pick reflects this confidence. The Lightning have demonstrated a consistent dominance over the Sharks, winning all three of their recent encounters, including a commanding 8-1 victory on December 5, 2024. This game showcased Tampa Bay's offensive firepower, with a five-goal first period that set the tone for the rest of the match. Key players like Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov have been instrumental in these victories, with Point contributing four assists in their last meeting.

Historically, the Lightning have maintained a strong record against the Sharks, boasting a 28-20-3 all-time record, with a particularly impressive 13-5-1 mark since the 2014-15 season. This trend is supported by the stellar performances of goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who holds a .925 save percentage in 10 career starts against San Jose. The Lightning's ability to outshoot and outscore the Sharks consistently, as evidenced by their recent matchups, further solidifies their position as the favorites.

On the other hand, the San Jose Sharks are struggling this season, sitting at 15th in the Western Conference with an 11-23-6 record. They are currently mired in an eight-game losing streak, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities and lack of offensive output. Despite the promising start of rookie Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks have been unable to find consistency, and the absence of forward William Eklund due to injury only adds to their challenges.

Given the Lightning's recent form, historical success against the Sharks, and the current struggles of San Jose, the Tampa Bay Lightning moneyline is a strong pick. The Lightning are poised to extend their winning record and capitalize on the Sharks' vulnerabilities, making them the clear choice for this matchup.

Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks Top Player Prop Picks

Brayden Point Over 0.5 Assists -135 (DraftKings)

Brayden Point has been a pivotal player for the Tampa Bay Lightning, especially in their recent encounters with the San Jose Sharks. In their last meeting on December 5, 2024, Point was instrumental in the Lightning's 8-1 victory, contributing four assists. His ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates has been a consistent factor in Tampa Bay's success against San Jose. With the Sharks struggling defensively, currently enduring an eight-game losing streak, Point is well-positioned to continue his playmaking prowess. The odds of -135 on DraftKings reflect the likelihood of Point recording at least one assist, making this a strong prop bet.

Nikita Kucherov Over 3.5 Shots On Goal -110 (FanDuel)

Nikita Kucherov has been a dominant force for the Lightning, particularly against the Sharks. As one of the top performers in their recent matchups, Kucherov's offensive capabilities are undeniable. The Lightning's previous game against San Jose saw them outshoot the Sharks 35-21, with Kucherov playing a significant role in maintaining offensive pressure. Given the Sharks' defensive vulnerabilities and Kucherov's track record, betting on him to exceed 3.5 shots on goal is a compelling choice. The odds of -110 on FanDuel suggest a balanced risk, but Kucherov's consistent performance against San Jose makes this a favorable prop.

Jake Guentzel Over 2.5 Shots On Goal -143 (BetRivers)

Jake Guentzel, a key offseason acquisition for the Lightning, has been a significant contributor to their offensive efforts. Despite a recent injury scare, Guentzel has been in excellent form, tallying 20 goals and 17 assists in 33 games. His ability to generate shots is crucial for Tampa Bay, especially against a struggling San Jose team. The Sharks have shown defensive lapses, as evidenced by their current losing streak and poor performance in recent games. With Guentzel's offensive prowess and the Sharks' defensive struggles, the odds of -143 on BetRivers for Guentzel to record over 2.5 shots on goal are justified, making this a strong prop bet.