San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction | NHL 20.01.26

San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game Analysis | 20-01-2026 | NHL

This regular-season matchup on January 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, pits the San Jose Sharks (25-20-3) against the formidable Tampa Bay Lightning (30-13-4). The Lightning, sitting comfortably as a top contender, will look to extend their strong season against a Sharks team that has shown flashes of brilliance but struggles with consistency.

San Jose Sharks Team Performance

The San Jose Sharks have navigated a challenging season, currently holding a respectable, though not dominant, record. Their offensive output heavily relies on the exceptional talent of Macklin Celebrini, who has been a revelation. However, the team’s overall performance suggests a lack of consistent secondary scoring and defensive depth. They often find themselves in high-event games, indicating potential vulnerabilities in their own zone. Their ability to compete against top-tier teams like the Lightning will hinge on their defensive structure holding firm and their special teams executing efficiently.

San Jose Sharks Key Players

• Points: Macklin Celebrini (72)
• Goals: Macklin Celebrini (24)
• Assists: Macklin Celebrini (48)

Injury Report San Jose Sharks

• Ty Dellandrea (Injured reserve): Dellandrea (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.
• Shakir Mukhamadullin (Injured reserve): Mukhamadullin (upper body) will be with the Sharks for their four-game road trip, Max Miller of NHL.com reports Monday, but his availability for the game is uncertain.
• Philipp Kurashev (Injured reserve): Kurashev (upper body) won’t be with the Sharks when they leave for a four-game road trip, Max Miller of NHL.com reports, though he could join up later if cleared.
• Logan Couture (Injured reserve): Long-term injured reserve.

Tampa Bay Lightning Team Performance

The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to assert themselves as one of the league’s elite, boasting an impressive 30-13-4 record. Despite facing significant injury challenges, their deep roster and tactical prowess have allowed them to maintain a high level of play. Their offense, spearheaded by Nikita Kucherov, is dynamic and capable of exploiting any defensive lapse. The Lightning’s ability to grind out wins, even when not at their best, speaks to their championship pedigree and resilience. Playing at home in Benchmark International Arena provides an additional advantage.

Tampa Bay Lightning Key Players

• Points: Nikita Kucherov (70)
• Goals: Nikita Kucherov (24)
• Assists: Nikita Kucherov (46)

Injury Report Tampa Bay Lightning

• Brayden Point (Injured reserve): Point (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Friday, per the NHL media site.
• Ryan McDonagh (Injured reserve): McDonagh (undisclosed) will not travel with the team during their upcoming five-game road trip that begins Saturday in Philadelphia, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning’s official site reports.
• Victor Hedman (Injured reserve): Hedman will undergo elbow surgery Monday and is expected to be out of action until the beginning of February, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports Friday.

Prediction: San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Given the current team forms, home-ice advantage, and the Lightning’s superior record, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the clear favorites in this contest. While both teams are dealing with notable injuries, Tampa Bay’s depth and established system allow them to absorb these losses more effectively. The Sharks’ reliance on Celebrini’s offense, coupled with their own injury woes, will likely struggle to match the Lightning’s balanced attack. Considering the defensive structures of both teams and the impact of key offensive injuries, we predict the total goals to be under 6.5.