NHL Game Preview: San Jose Sharks (7-10-1) vs. Dallas Stars (9-5-2)

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Dallas Stars logo

Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
TV: Prime Video, NBCSCA (Sharks local)

This inter-conference matchup features a struggling Sharks team on a losing streak visiting a solid Stars club that has been strong at home and in recent form.

Current Rosters / Projected Lineups

San Jose Sharks: Key forwards include Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Mason Marchment, Tyler Toffoli, and supporting pieces such as Kiefer Sherwood and Ivar Stenberg. Defense features Jacob Trouba, Dmitry Orlov, and Darnell Nurse. Goalie: Likely Alex Nedeljkovic (backup expected on the back-to-back).

Dallas Stars: Core includes Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn, Wyatt Johnston, and others. Defense led by available blueliners (with Heiskanen status key). Goalie: Likely Jake Oettinger.

Injury Reports

Sharks: Alexander Wennberg (upper body, IR/out); Igor Chernyshov (upper body, IR/out); Kyle Keyser (upper body, IR); Quentin Musty (upper body, IR). Celebrini and other core players expected available.

Stars: Miro Heiskanen (upper body, day-to-day/doubtful); Matt Duchene (abdomen, long-term out); Oskar Back (finger, LTIR); Kyle Capobianco (leg, IR); Sam Steel (personal, day-to-day).

Recent Team Forms

Sharks: 7-10-1 overall. On a four-game losing streak (recent 1-4 loss at Minnesota). They have struggled defensively and on special teams, averaging fewer goals while allowing more. Road record is 4-4-1.

Stars: 9-5-2 overall with a strong recent stretch (7-2-1 in last 10). Solid at home (5-4-0) and stingy defensively. They previously shut out the Sharks 5-0 earlier this season.

Key Player vs. Player Matchups

Macklin Celebrini vs. Stars top defensive pairing / Rantanen line: Celebrini’s scoring and playmaking against Dallas’ structure and top scorers.

Mikko Rantanen / Roope Hintz / Jason Robertson vs. Sharks defense (Trouba / Orlov): Dallas’ offensive firepower testing San Jose’s blue line and goaltending.

Special teams battle: Stars’ strong penalty kill vs. Sharks’ power play opportunities.

Goaltending: Oettinger (or equivalent) vs. Nedeljkovic on the road back-to-back.

Series History

Dallas has dominated recent meetings, including a 5-0 shutout earlier this season. The Stars hold a strong all-time edge and have taken points in a long streak of games against San Jose.

Betting Trends

Trends strongly favor Dallas due to home ice, better record, recent form, and the Sharks’ skid plus travel/back-to-back. Unders may have value given Stars’ defensive strength.

Dallas’ superior structure, home advantage, offensive depth (Rantanen, Hintz, Robertson), and the Sharks’ ongoing struggles and fatigue from a back-to-back make the Stars clear favorites. San Jose can compete in stretches with Celebrini producing, but the Stars should control play and secure a solid home win at American Airlines Center.

Game Odds

San Jose Sharks                6.5

Dallas Stars                         – 290

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 6, 2026

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