San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Pick & Prediction 12/5/24
The Sharks and Lightning are set to face off at 7:00 ET on NBCS. The Lightning will host the game at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 6.5 goals, and the Lightning are favored by -1.5 against the Sharks.
SAN JOSE SHARKS VS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING BETTING PICK
The Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5
This game will be played at Amalie Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, December 5th.
WHY BET THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING:
- Based on projections, we have the Lightning coming out on top by a score of 4-2.
- Take the Lightning on the moneyline
- The Lightning should also cover at -1.5
Can San Jose Deliver Being Underdogs on the Road?
San Jose fell to 10-13-5 after a 3-2 loss to the Canucks. The Sharks were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 5 goals fell short of the 6.5 set before the game.
San Jose led 1-0 in the second period, but the Canucks tied it up at 5:19. The Sharks evened the score again in the third period, but Vancouver scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds left.
San Jose’s offense registered 23 shots on goal but only managed to find the net twice in their 3-2 loss to Vancouver. Mikael Granlund scored his 6th goal of the season, while Nico Sturm added his 2nd. The Sharks were held scoreless in the first period before Sturm opened their account 2:37 into the second.
Granlund’s goal came with 1:17 left in the game, tying the score at 2-2. The Sharks recorded 16 giveaways and were unable to capitalize on any power play opportunities.
Defensively, the Sharks will be looking to bounce back after giving up a late goal with just 26 seconds left in the 3rd period, which proved to be the game-winner for the Canucks. Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves and posted a save percentage of 89.3%. San Jose’s defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 21 hits.
Will the Lightning Find a Way to Win at Home?
Tampa Bay dropped to 12-9-2 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning were the underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.
At one point, the Lightning held a 2-0 lead, but things unraveled, especially in the third period, where they gave up four goals. Four different Lightning players found the net in the game.
Tampa Bay’s offense managed 4 goals on 30 shots in their 7-4 loss to Winnipeg. Brandon Hagel opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, followed by Brayden Point’s 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov netted his 10th.
The Lightning had 8 giveaways and recorded 4 assists in the game. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first period, they scored again in the second to tie it at 3-3, and Kucherov’s goal evened the score at 4-4 in the third period.
After tying the game at 4-4 in the third period, the Lightning’s defense struggled, allowing three late goals to the Jets, including two empty-netters. Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage, and the defense added 6 takeaways and 16 hits.