A game between two teams that have put themselves squarely in the playoff hunt, the San Jose Sharks and the Tampa Bay Lightning clash at Amalie Arena in an East-West showdown. This one gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2 and it’ll air live on NBC Sports California.
San Jose Sharks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
The Lightning are 17-8 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 6.2 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL so far this season, is a solid improvement compared to what the team did during last years regular season (42-40). Of its 25 games this season, 14 have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the teams 9-3 SU at home.
Tampa Bay comes into the matchup with the strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has converted on 27.4 percent of their extra-man chances this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Tampa Bay has been called for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.3 per game over its last ten outings. The teams had to kill penalties for just 7.1 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Boasting a .932 save percentage and 30.9 saves per game, Andrei Vasilevskiy (16-5-1) has been the best option in goal for the Lightning this year. If they, however, decide to give him a rest, Tampa Bay could turn to Peter Budaj (1-3-3 record, .867 save percentage, 3.75 goals against average).
Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov will each lead the way for the Lightning. Stamkos (37 points) has tallied 11 goals and 26 assists and has recorded multiple points 11 times this year. Kucherov has 17 goals and 19 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 19 games.
San Jose is 14-10 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 17 of its contests have gone under the total, while five have gone over and just one has pushed. San Jose’s 7-3 SU as the road team this season.
San Jose has converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked second overall and it’s successfully defended 88.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their past five games. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Martin Jones (2.05 goals against average and .930 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 25.1 saves per game and has 10 wins, seven losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Sharks will be Logan Couture (13 goals, eight assists) and Joe Thornton (four goals, 12 assists).
San Jose Sharks at Tampa Bay Lightning Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while San Jose is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in four of Tampa Bay’s last five games.
- Six of San Jose’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-2 in those games.
