Lightning, Sharks Each Looking for a Spark
The Tampa Bay Lightning won the Eastern Conference last season and the Stanley Cup the year before, but they’ve looked nowhere near like Cup contenders to start the 2022-23 campaign.
They are just 4-4.
As for the San Jose Sharks, they lost their first five games before finally getting some wind under them. They have since won three out of their last five and look to keep inching closer to .500 by taking down the Lightning.
Which of these two squads is the best bet online in terms of the NHL betting odds in this spot?
Let’s check the latest NHL odds, stats, injury reports, and NHL lines for Lightning vs Sharks. We’ve plenty of NHL betting odds for you to consider.
Lightning’s Offense Unable to Get Going
Tampa Bay has loads of talent and experience on their squad, but those who bet online might be wary of this team right now. They’re expensive to bet in the sportsbook and they appear to be coasting a little bit.
With all of their weapons, the Lightning are tied for 22nd when it comes to goals scored per game at 3.00. With so many stars like Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Braden Point and others, they need more production.
Kuchverov leads the team in assists and points, while Stamkos has seven goals himself. Luckily, their goaltending is still solid.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is 2-3-0 but has a .914 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average. Even their backup Brian Elliott is 2-1-0 on the year with a .900 save percentage and 3.35 goals against average.
They are getting respectable play out of both of these goalies to win games, they just have to turn it up a notch offensively.
Tale of Two Goalies for Sharks
The Sharks have seen their goalies provide completely different production. James Reimer has been the starter across six games and holds onto a record of 2-4-0.
His save percentage is a healthy .923, though, and his 2.55 goals against average is pretty good. That’s about as good as the Sharks could have hoped for.
The same can’t be said when Kaapo Kahkonen starts between the pipes. He’s started four games and is 1-3-0 on the year with a horrendous .875 save percentage and a 3.33 goals against average.
Make sure you check who is in net before making your NHL picks.
Lightning vs Sharks Game Injuries
Lightning vs Sharks Head-to-Head
The Lightning took on the Sharks twice last season and won both of them by a combined 10-3 score differential.
Lightning vs Sharks Game Information
- Game: Lightning (4-4-0) vs Sharks (3-7-0)
- Location: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
- Day/Time: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
- Lightning vs Sharks Live stream: NHL.TV
Lightning vs Sharks Betting Lines
Lightning vs Sharks Prediction
Tampa Bay hasn’t been consistent in the slightest but the Sharks haven’t been all that great themselves. Looking at the talent level of these squads, it’s obvious that the Lightning have higher ceilings when they get on the same page.
If Reimer is not in net, the Lightning are the easy pick as well as the over. If Reimer is between the pipes, go with the under instead.
Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -200 & Under
Lightning vs Sharks Trends
Lightning vs Sharks Edge
Lightning vs Sharks Results
Lightning vs Sharks Game Summary
