Tampa Bay Lightning vs San Jose Sharks Prediction NHL Picks 1/2/25

In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Lightning vs San Jose Sharks Prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 2nd at the SAP Center. To formulate this prediction, we will look at: 

-The Lightning’s recent form and recent player performance 

-The Sharks’ recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Tampa Bay

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving San Jose

-Recent betting trends in games played between Tampa Bay and San Jose

-A summary that ties it all together produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Lightning and Sharks 

Lightning Look to Bounce Back

The Lightning in the last game faced off against the Montreal Canadiens and they scored only two goals while the defense gave up five goals. Brandon Hagel scored a goal but it wasn’t enough with the defense. Two games ago against the New York Rangers, the Lightning were able to secure a 6-2 victory. The Lightning have won three games in a row, and they are playing with a ton of confidence with the way the offense has played. The Lightning are averaging 3.94 goals while their defense is giving up 2.82 goals per game. The offense is naked 1st in the league while the defense is ranked 10th. They have a team shooting percentage of 14.09 percent which is the top in all the NHL. Jake Guentzel is dealing with an upper-body injury and is questionable for this game. Defensiveness JJ Moser is also out with an injury. 

Why the Lightning Will Beat the Sharks 

• The Sharks have lost each of their last seven night games at SAP Center at San Jose.
• The Lightning have won each of their last seven night games following a home loss.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last seven night games following a home loss.
• The Sharks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four night games at SAP Center at San Jose.
• The favorites have won the third period in nine of the Sharks’ last 10 games.

Sharks Have Struggled

The Sharks have struggled all season and they are coming off another loss in the last game. The Sharks faced off against the Philadelphia Flyers and they scored zero goals while the defense gave up four goals and that led to the defeat. Alexander Georgiev was in goal and he saved 30 of the 34 shots that he faced.

The Flyers had only 22 shots on goal and they are going to need more production here. Two games ago against the Calgary Flames the Shakrs managed one goal, but the defense gave up three. The Sharks have lost eight games in a row. The Sharks are averaging 2.63 goals while their defense is giving up 3.55 goals per game. The offense is ranked 27th in the league while the defense is ranked 30th. 

Tampa Bay Lightning vs San Jose Sharks Prediction

This game is going to get ugly early. We have a team that has been running up the score against everyone they have faced going against a team that has had some major issues scoring all season. The Sharks offense is averaging only 2.63 goals per game and they are going to struggle to even get to their season average here. The Lightning are averaging 3.94 goals per game and they are going to have no issue getting close to their season average. This game is going to get out of control early, and the Lightning are going to end up cruising here. Back the Lightning on the puck line to end up cashing.