Something has to give when the Tampa Bay Lightning (24-13-3, riding a six-game winning streak) hit the road against the San Jose Sharks (20-17-3, winners of three in a row). The matchup on Saturday, Jan. 3 starts at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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Prepare for this matchup with a glimpse at who we predict will emerge with the victory in Saturday's game.
The Sharks have put up a 6-4-0 record in their last 10 games. They have scored 37 total goals (four power-play goals on 25 power-play opportunities during that span, for a conversion rate of 16.0%) while giving up 37 goals to their opponents.
Lightning vs. Sharks Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projection model for this contest expects a final tally of Lightning 4, Sharks 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-219)
- 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 on their way to an overall record of 24-13-3.
- Tampa Bay is 7-7-2 (16 points) in its 16 games decided by one goal.
- In the three games this season the Lightning scored just one goal, they finished 0-2-1.
- Tampa Bay has taken eight points from the 10 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (3-5-2 record).
- The Lightning have scored three or more goals 25 times, and are 21-4-0 in those games (to register 42 points).
- In the 14 games when Tampa Bay has recorded a lone power-play goal, it has a 9-3-2 record (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's opponents have had more shots in 20 games. The Lightning finished 15-4-1 in those contests (31 points).
Sharks Splits and Trends
- The Sharks (20-17-3 overall) have posted a record of 9-3-12 in games that have needed OT this season.
- 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.
- San Jose has five points (2-3-1) when scoring two goals this season.
- The Sharks have scored three or more goals 25 times, earning 38 points from those matchups (18-5-2).
- San Jose has scored a lone power-play goal in 17 games this season and has recorded 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 in 31 games, going 17-11-3 to register 37 points.
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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 | 30th |
| 7th | 26.6 | Shots Allowed | 31.2 | 31st |
| 23rd | 17.19% | Power Play % | 18.52% | 20th |
| 3rd | 83.7% | 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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