The San Jose Sharks (10-13-5) travel to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (12-9-2) on Thursday, December 5th. This game will be played at Amalie Arena in Tampa and televised on NBCS. Both the Sharks and Lightning will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Sharks vs Lightning

The San Jose Sharks Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

San Jose fell to 10-13-5 after a 3-2 road loss to the Canucks. The Sharks were underdogs on the puck line and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 5 fell short of that mark.

San Jose took the lead early in the second period with a goal from Nico Sturm, but the Canucks responded with three unanswered goals. Mikael Granlund tied it up for the Sharks with 1:17 left in the third, but Vancouver scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds remaining.

The Tampa Bay Lightning Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Tampa Bay’s record dropped to 12-9-2 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning held a 2-0 lead early, but Winnipeg responded with seven of the next nine goals. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 11 goals easily surpassed that mark.

As +1.5 goal underdogs, the Lightning failed to cover the puck line. All four of Tampa Bay’s goals came from different players, with Nikita Kucherov’s goal at 13:09 in the third period tying the game at 4-4. However, the Jets scored three unanswered goals to secure the win.

San Jose Offense Breakdown

San Jose’s offense was limited to just two goals in their 3-2 loss to Vancouver. Nico Sturm opened the scoring for the Sharks with his second goal of the season, while Mikael Granlund added his sixth goal, tying the game 2-2 with 1:17 left in the third period.

The Sharks put 23 shots on goal but were hindered by 16 giveaways. Tyler Toffoli picked up his fifth assist of the season, and William Eklund added his seventh assist on Granlund’s goal.

Lightning Offense Breakdown

Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for the Lightning, netting his 7th goal of the season, followed by Brayden Point’s 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov scored his 10th. The Lightning took 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways.

Tampa Bay scored twice in the first period, with Hagel’s goal coming 6:49 into the game. After the Jets took a 3-2 lead in the second period, Chaffee tied it up at 3-3. Kucherov’s goal in the third period made it 4-4 before the Jets pulled away.

San Jose Team Defense

San Jose’s defense allowed the first goal at 5:19 in the 2nd period and two more in the 3rd, including the game-winner with just 26 seconds left. Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves with an 89.3% save percentage, while the defense added 6 takeaways and 21 hits.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

After tying the game at 4-4 in the third period, Tampa Bay’s defense struggled, allowing three unanswered goals, including two empty-netters. Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage, but the Lightning’s defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 16 hits.

Sharks vs Lightning Trends

• Across their last five road contests, San Jose has a 4-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 2-3, while averaging 2 goals per game.
• Through their last three home games, Tampa Bay has an puck line record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 5 goals per game.
• The last five games that Tampa Bay was the underdog, they have an puck line mark of 2-3 while going 2-3 straight up.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Sharks have a straight up record of 1-4 and an puck line mark of 1-4.

Sharks vs Lightning Prediction

For a moneyline bet, we have the Lightning as the likely winner. However, with the current odds at -264, I’d suggest considering a puck line bet, as our predictions have the Lightning winning by more than one goal.

When making a puck line pick, we’re backing the Lightning to win and cover. Watch for the Lightning to win this game by multiple goals over the Sharks.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to remain below that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the under.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.