Tampa Bay Lightning vs San Jose Sharks Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25
The Lightning and Sharks are set to face off at 10:30 ET on NBCS. The Sharks will host the game at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. The Lightning are favored by -1.5 goals in this non-conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6.5 goals.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS SAN JOSE SHARKS BETTING PICK
The Pick: San Jose Sharks +1.5
This game will be played at SAP Center at 10:30 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.
WHY BET THE SAN JOSE SHARKS:
- With the Lightning being favored by 1.5, our NHL analytics models has this one playing out 4-3 in favor of the Lightning.
- Take the Lightning on the moneyline
- On the puck line, we like Sharks (+1.5)
Can the Lightning Pull Out the Win as Road Favorites?
The Lightning fell to 20-12-2 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. Tampa Bay held a 2-0 lead early, but the defense couldn’t hold up, allowing seven unanswered goals. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 11, easily surpassing that mark. Tampa Bay was the underdog on the puck line, and the loss kept them from covering.
Tampa Bay scored first, with Brandon Hagel finding the net at 13:11 in the first period. They added another goal at 11:58 in the first, but the Jets responded with seven straight goals. The Lightning managed to tie the game at 4-4 in the third period, but the Jets pulled away with three more goals, including two empty-netters.
Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for Tampa Bay, netting his 7th goal of the season. Brayden Point followed with his 8th goal, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, while Nikita Kucherov rounded out the scoring with his 10th goal, unassisted in the third period.
The Lightning fired 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. They scored twice in the first period, added a third goal in the second, and their final goal came with 13:09 left in the game, tying the score at 4-4.
Defensively, the Lightning struggled late, allowing four goals in the third period, including two empty-netters. Goalie Jonas Johansson finished with a save percentage of 84.4% on 32 shots from the Jets.
Can the Sharks Secure a Win at Home?
San Jose’s 3-2 loss to the Canucks dropped them to 11-23-6 this season. The Sharks were underdogs on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 5 goals fell short of that mark.
The Sharks took the lead early in the second period with a goal from Nico Sturm, but the Canucks tied it up later in the period and went ahead in the third. Mikael Granlund scored for San Jose to even things up, but Vancouver responded with a goal at 19:34 in the third to secure the win.
The Sharks took 23 shots on goal in their 3-2 loss to the Canucks. Mikael Granlund netted his 6th goal of the season, while Nico Sturm opened the scoring with his 2nd goal, 2:37 into the second period.
San Jose had 16 giveaways and failed to capitalize on any power play opportunities. Tyler Toffoli picked up his 5th assist, and William Eklund added his 7th assist on Granlund’s third-period goal.
Defensively, the Sharks will be looking to bounce back after surrendering a late goal with just 26 seconds left in the 3rd period, leading to a 3-2 loss against the Canucks. Mackenzie Blackwood finished with 25 saves and a save percentage of 89.3%. The Sharks’ defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 21 hits.