The San Jose Sharks (13-13-3) limp into Raleigh on a two-game skid, having surrendered 11 goals across losses to Washington and Dallas, as they face a Carolina Hurricanes (17-8-2) team that’s won three of its last four, including a 6-3 home thumping of Nashville on Saturday. The Hurricanes sit second in the Metropolitan Division with a +27 goal differential, leaning on their league-second-ranked shot volume (33.5 SOG/G) to fuel a top-10 offense (3.41 GF/G). San Jose, mired in fourth in the Pacific, ranks last in shots (24.1 SOG/G) and 24th in scoring (2.79 GF/G), but their penalty kill (80.4%) could keep this close if Carolina’s power play (14.6%) falters. This Pacific-Metro clash at Lenovo Center tests the Sharks’ young core against Carolina’s veteran depth, with the Canes aiming to extend their eight-game winning streak in the series while San Jose hunts for its first regulation road win since November 20.
Game Details
Puckdrop: 5:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina (capacity: 18,700)
Broadcast: ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network South (Hurricanes), NBC Sports California (Sharks)
This Sunday matinee wraps a light slate, with Carolina opening a three-game homestand and San Jose concluding a four-game road trip. The Lenovo Center faithful have seen the Hurricanes go 9-5-1 at home, but back-to-back games for both could breed sloppiness.
Injury Report
Carolina’s blue line remains a concern without Slavin’s shutdown presence, forcing heavy minutes on depth defenders, while San Jose’s absences hit their bottom pairing and prospect pipeline. The Hurricanes’ goaltending depth takes a hit with Kochetkov sidelined.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Estimated Return | Notes |
| San Jose Sharks | Vincent Desharnais | D | Injured Reserve | Upper Body | December 16 | Depth defenseman; 0G-2A in 20 GP before injury; Mario Ferraro logs extra shifts. |
| San Jose Sharks | Michael Misa | C | Injured Reserve (LTIR) | Lower Body | December 16 | Prospect; 1G-2A in 7 GP; loaned to AHL for conditioning. |
| San Jose Sharks | Ryan Ellis | D | Injured Reserve | Back | July 1, 2026 | Acquired in offseason trade; chronic issue limits impact. |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Jaccob Slavin | D | Injured Reserve | Lower Body | December 9 | Team leader (23:45 TOI/GP); practiced non-contact Friday—nearing return but out today. |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Charles-Alexis Legault | D | Out | Hand (Surgery) | March 2, 2026 | Torn tendons; 1G-1A in 8 GP; major depth loss on third pair. |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Pyotr Kochetkov | G | Out (DTD) | Lower Body/Undisclosed | December 7 | Backup; 3-5-2, 3.19 GAA; Frederik Andersen starts back-to-back after Saturday’s win. |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Jesperi Kotkaniemi | C | Out | Lower Body | TBD | 16 GP played; versatile middle-six center essential for faceoffs (51%). |
Impact: Slavin’s absence exposes Carolina’s right-side D, potentially giving San Jose’s rush chances, but the Canes’ 79.7% PK holds firm. Sharks’ thin blue line relies on Ferraro-Klingberg pairing for 50+ minutes combined.
Key Player Matchups
Carolina’s speed and shot barrage will test San Jose’s porous defense (31.4 SA/G, 30th), but the Sharks’ youth could spark counters. Focus on top-line tilts and the netminders’ battle.
Macklin Celebrini (SJS, C) vs. Sebastian Aho (CAR, C): Celebrini (12G-15A-27P in 29 GP) drives San Jose’s top line with elite edgework; Aho (team-high 16G-17A) owns faceoffs (54%) and thrives in high-danger areas. Expect Aho to win board battles, but Celebrini’s speed could exploit transitions. Edge: Aho—better linemates.
Will Smith (SJS, RW) vs. Seth Jarvis (CAR, RW): Smith (12G-15A) dazzles on the wing with 24.1% shooting; Jarvis (16G-8A-24P) leads Carolina with 42.1% on-ice goals. Jarvis’s two-way game neutralizes rushes. Edge: Jarvis—defensive reliability.
Mario Ferraro (SJS, D) vs. Andrei Svechnikov (CAR, RW): Ferraro anchors San Jose’s shutdown pair (team-high +5); Svechnikov (8G-10A) brings physicality and a lethal shot (31 SOG). Carolina targets him early. Edge: Even—Ferraro’s positioning vs. Svechnikov’s power.
Goalie Duel: Yaroslav Askarov (SJS) vs. Frederik Andersen (CAR): Askarov (10-8-1, 3.14 GAA, .903 SV%) faces 33+ shots; Andersen (8-1-0, 2.21 GAA, .903 SV%) rides a six-game win streak. Edge: Andersen—hot streak and home support.
Projected Lines (Subject to change):
Sharks: Toffoli-Celebrini-Smith | Granlund-Denisenko-Graf | Kunin-Sturm-Emmerson | Dickinson-Nedeljkovic | Ferraro-Klingberg
Hurricanes: Jarvis-Aho-Svechnikov | Ehlers-Staal-Martinook | Blake-Necas-Noesen | Slavin-Burns (if active) | Pesce-Skjei
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Record | Points | Goal Diff. | Home/Away | Division Rank |
| San Jose Sharks | 13-13-3 | 29 | -16 | 9-5-3 Home / 4-8-0 Away | 4th Pacific |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 17-8-2 | 36 | +27 | 9-5-1 Home / 8-3-1 Away | 2nd Metro |
Sharks rank 30th in SA/G (31.4) but 12th in PK (80.4%); Hurricanes lead NHL in SOG/G (33.5) and 10th in GA/G (2.85).
Recent Team Forms
Carolina’s offense erupted Saturday, but San Jose’s defensive woes persist in a 2-3 skid.
Sharks Last 5 Games (2-3-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 5 | @ DAL | L 1-4 | Graf lone goal; Askarov 20 saves on 24 shots. |
| Dec. 3 | vs. WSH | L 1-7 | Defensive collapse; 24 SOG allowed 5 PP goals. |
| Dec. 1 | vs. UTA | W 6-3 | Offensive breakout; 30 SOG, 1 PP goal. |
| Nov. 29 | @ VGK | L 3-4 | Close loss; 21 SOG in Vegas. |
| Nov. 28 | vs. VAN | W 3-2 | Timely PP (2/6); 24 SOG. |
Hurricanes Last 5 Games (3-2-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 6 | vs. NSH | W 6-3 | Blake/Ehlers 3P each; Bussi 19 saves. |
| Dec. 4 | vs. TOR | L 1-5 | Rare home dud; 33 SOG but pulled goalie. |
| Nov. 30 | vs. CGY | W 1-0 (OT) | Andersen shutout; low-event win. |
| Nov. 28 | vs. WPG | W 5-1 | Dominant; 35 SOG, 0/4 PK. |
| Nov. 26 | vs. NYR | L 2-4 | PP goal; 38 SOG outshot but outscored. |
Sharks 5-5-0 L10 (3.3 GA/G); Hurricanes 7-3-0 L10 (2.8 GA/G).
Series History
These clubs have clashed 51 times (regular season only), with Carolina holding a 29-22 edge (56.9% win rate), outscoring San Jose 156-153. The Hurricanes boast an eight-game winning streak dating to October 14, 2025 (5-1 home win), including 6-3 and 4-2 victories last season. San Jose leads all-time at home (12-8-0 in Raleigh? Wait, no: Carolina 17-8 home vs. SJS), but the Sharks are 0-8 SU in the last eight meetings. No playoff history.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: CAR covers 60% as -200+ faves.
Total (O/U): 6.5 (Over +105 to +110; Under -124 to -130) – Under 8-2 in last 10 H2H; 11-4 Under for Sharks L15.
Trends: Hurricanes 3-2 SU L5 but 1-4 ATS L5; Sharks 0-8 SU L8 vs. CAR, 2-4 SU L6 overall. Sharp action on Under 6 due to back-to-backs.
Game Odds
San Jose Sharks 6.5
Carolina Hurricanes – 325
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 6, 2025
