Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Something has to give when the Tampa Bay Lightning (24-13-3, on a six-game winning streak) hit the road against the San Jose Sharks (20-17-3, winners of three straight). The contest on Saturday, Jan. 3 begins at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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Before watching this matchup, here's a look at which team we think will emerge with the victory in Saturday's action on the ice.
In the last 10 contests, the Sharks have gone 6-4-0 while totaling 37 goals against 37 goals given up. On 25 power-play opportunities during that time, they have scored four goals (16.0%).
Lightning vs. Sharks Predictions for Saturday
Our computer model for this contest calls for a final tally of Lightning 4, Sharks 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-207)
- Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.1 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Sharks (+1.5)
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Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning have gone 5-3-8 in overtime matchups to contribute to an overall record of 24-13-3.
- Tampa Bay has 16 points (7-7-2) in the 16 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
- In the three games this season the Lightning scored only one goal, they finished 0-2-1.
- Tampa Bay has finished 3-5-2 in the 10 games this season when it scored two goals (registering eight points).
- The Lightning are 21-4-0 in the 25 games when they have scored more than two goals (to register 42 points).
- In the 14 games when Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal, it went 9-3-2 to register 20 points.
- In the 19 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 8-9-2 (18 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents 20 times, and went 15-4-1 (31 points).
Sharks Splits and Trends
- The Sharks have a record of 20-17-3 this season and are 9-3-12 in overtime contests.
- San Jose has earned 22 points (10-4-2) in its 16 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
- This season the Sharks scored only one goal in six games and they lost every time.
- When San Jose has scored two goals this season, they've earned five points (2-3-1 record).
- The Sharks have earned 38 points in their 25 games with at least three goals scored.
- San Jose has scored a single power-play goal in 17 games this season and has registered 21 points from those matchups.
- When it outshoots its opponent this season, San Jose has posted a record of 3-6-0 (six points).
- The Sharks have been outshot by opponents 31 times this season, and earned 37 points in those games.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Lightning Rank | Lightning AVG | Sharks AVG | Sharks Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th | 3.35 | Goals Scored | 3.05 | 18th |
| 4th | 2.65 | Goals Allowed | 3.45 | 30th |
| 20th | 27.3 | Shots | 25.0 | 30th |
| 7th | 26.6 | Shots Allowed | 31.2 | 31st |
| 23rd | 17.19% | Power Play % | 18.52% | 20th |
| 3rd | 83.70% | Penalty Kill % | 78.57% | 21st |
Lightning vs. Sharks Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, California
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