The Tampa Bay Lightning and San Jose Sharks meet Thursday in NHL action at the Acrisure Arena. Here’s a San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction. This article will include a San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning Pick.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Rangers, lost to the Canadiens, and they play the Kings, Ducks, and Hurricanes next. The Tampa Bay Lightning are averaging 3.94 goals per game and are scoring on 26.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Brayden Point leads Tampa Bay with 23 goals, Nikita Kucherov has 37 assists and Jake Guentzel has 93 shots on goal. Defensively, the Tampa Bay Lightning are allowing 2.82 goals per game and are killing 81.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed 63 goals on 721 shots faced, and Jonas Johansson has given up 25 goals on 250 shots.
San Jose Sharks Betting Preview
The San Jose Sharks lost to the Flames and Flyers, and they play the Devils, Golden Knights, and Utah Hockey Club next. The San Jose Sharks are averaging 2.63 goals per game and are scoring 18 percent of their power play opportunities. Tyler Toffoli leads San Jose with 14 goals, Mikael Granlund has 23 assists and Macklin Celebrini has 96 shots on goal. Defensively, the San Jose Sharks are allowing 3.55 goals per game and are killing 78.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Mackenzie Blackwood has given up 53 goals on 583 shots faced, and Vitek Vanecek has allowed 47 goals on 409 shots.
San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Report
The Sharks will be without Logan Couture, William Eklund and Vitek Vanecek. Carl Grundstrom (undisclosed) and Jake Walman (lower body) are questionable for the Sharks.
JJ Moser is out for the Lightning, while Jake Guentzel is questionable with an upper body issue. Guentzel didn’t play against the Habs on Sunday.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win
- The Sharks have lost each of their last eight games.
- The Lightning have won each of their last eight games following a home loss.
- The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games following a home loss.
- The Sharks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games at SAP Center at San Jose.
- The Sharks have lost the third period in each of their last six night games at SAP Center at San Jose.
San Jose Sharks Player Prop Facts
- William Eklund has recorded at least one point in each of the Sharks’ last six home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Jake Walman has recorded an assist in four of the Sharks’ last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Brayden Point has recorded at least one point in each of his last 15 appearances with the Lightning as favorites.
- Jake Guentzel has scored at least one goal in each of his last six road appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
- Brayden Point has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six road appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
- Jake Guentzel has scored the last goal in each of his last three appearances at SAP Center at San Jose.
Matchup/League Facts
- The San Jose Sharks rank 30th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.55).
- The San Jose Sharks rank 27th in the league for goals per game this season (2.63).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 1st in the league for goals per game this season (3.94).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (26.92%).
San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction
The San Jose Sharks haven’t won a game since December 12, and they’ve been getting blasted during this losing stretch. The Sharks are also 6-12-1 at home, so it’s not like home ice helps much. The Lightning are playing their best hockey of the season with wins in 7 of their last 10 games, and they should like their chances to stay hot. The Lightning have won 9 of the last 10 games against the Sharks, and they’ve outscored them 18-2 in the last three games overall. Making a case for the Sharks isn’t an easy one.
Give me the Lightning and of course I’ll lay the L to shave down the juice.