Looking to win big? The Lightning and Sharks face off at 10:30 ET on NBCS. The Sharks are hosting the game at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. The Lightning are favored by -1.5 goals in this non-conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6.5 goals.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS SAN JOSE SHARKS BETTING PICK

The Pick: San Jose Sharks +1.5

This game will be played at SAP Center at 10:30 ET on Thursday, March 21st.

WHY BET THE SAN JOSE SHARKS:

  • In spite of being 1.5 goal underdogs, we anticipate the Sharks winning this one 4-3.
  • We like the Sharks on the moneyline (+284)
  • The Sharks are also our pick on the spread at +1.5

Are the Lightning Ready for a Win at San Jose?

Over their last ten games, the Lightning have gone 7-3 and have won four straight games. On the year, Tampa Bay is 37-25-6 and are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. When playing on the road, the Lightning have gone 16-16-2.

For the season, Tampa Bay has been favored in 39 of their 68 games and have gone 24-13-2 in those contests. Against other teams in the Eastern Conference, the Lightning have gone 20-19.

On the season, the Lightning have a puck line record of 35-33, including going 4-1 against the puck line in their last five games. Their average scoring margin on the year is +.2 goals per game, and they have 27 wins by multiple goals.

So far, Tampa Bay has been favored in 39 games, and their puck line record as the favorite is 17-22. In their last ten road games, the Lightning have gone 7-3 against the puck line, and their average scoring differential on the road is -.4 goals per contest.

On average, Tampa Bay’s games have finished with 6.9 goals per game. The season’s average over/under line stands at 6.5. In total, the Lightning come in with an over/under record of 34-30-4.

When looking at their past three road matchups, Tampa Bay has an puck line record of 2-1 while averaging 4 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.

The Lightning come into the game scoring an average of 3.5 goals per game, putting them 5th in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 23rd in the league. This season, the Lightning are 21-12 when getting more shots on goal than their opponents. And in games with fewer shots on goal, they have a 15-11 record.

Tampa Bay’s leading goal scorer is Nikita Kucherov. So far this season, he has 41 goals, placing him 6th in the NHL. Along with his scoring, he has come up with 77 assists so far.

Defensively, the Sharks are currently 1st in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 33.9 shots per game against San Jose. They also are 30th in shutouts, coming in with 1 shutouts.

Heading into this matchup vs. San Jose, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has started 42 games in this season. His current record is 25-16, and his save percentage stands at 0.827%.

Can San Jose Secure a Home Victory?

At 16-45-7, the Sharks have struggled all season long. They come into this game on a five-game losing streak and have gone just 1-9 in their last ten games. In the Western Conference, San Jose is in 16th place and 8th in the Pacific Division. At home, the Sharks have gone 10-19-3.

As the underdog, San Jose is 16-45-7 this season and has lost five straight games when not favored. Against Western Conference opponents, the Sharks have gone 8-29 and are 0-0-0 when favored. Over the last three games, San Jose is 0-3 and 0-5 in their last five.

San Jose enters the game with a puck line record of 31-37 and their average scoring margin is -1.9 goals per game. So far, the Sharks have dropped 37 games by multiple goals, and their puck line record as the underdog is 31-37. In their last ten home games, the Sharks have gone 4-6 vs. the puck line.

So far, the Sharks have dropped four straight games vs. the puck line, and their average scoring margin at home is -1.7 goals per game. For the year, the team’s puck line mark is 15-17 at home, and they have 11 wins by one goal compared to five by multiple goals.

On average, San Jose’s games have finished with 6.3 goals per game. The season’s average over/under line stands at 6.2. In total, the Sharks come in with an over/under record of 31-34-3.

Tampa Bay has played well in their previous three road games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 4 goals per game while allowing 4. The team also performed well vs the puck line at 2-1.

When looking at their offense, the Sharks have an average of 2.2 goals per game this season, positioning themselves 32nd in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are ranked 32nd in the league. The San Jose offense is ranked 29th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they find themselves at 31st in the NHL.

The leading scorer for San Jose’s offense is Fabian Zetterlund. Coming into the game he has 18 goals, ranking 120th in the NHL. Along with his scoring, he has come up with 14 assists so far.

In terms of defense, the Sharks head into the game ranked 1st in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 33.9 shots per game against San Jose. So far, they are 30th in shutouts, achieving 1 shutouts.

Goalie Magnus Chrona gets the start and has made eight starts this season. His record at this point is 1-6, and his save percentage is 0.364%.