The San Jose Sharks (17-16-3) face the Vegas Golden Knights (16-8-10) in a Pacific Division clash that’s shaping up as a potential rebound spot for Vegas after a three-game losing streak, while the Sharks look to build on a mixed December with their young core leading the way. San Jose has gone 3-2-0 in their last five, showing defensive resilience in wins but struggling to generate consistent offense (2.8 GPG over that stretch). Vegas, despite the skid, remains a top home team (9-4-5 at T-Mobile Arena) with a balanced attack, but injuries to key players could open the door for the Sharks’ speed and transition game. This marks the second meeting of the 2025-26 season; the Sharks won the first 4-3 OT on October 9, snapping a five-game losing streak to Vegas. Expect a mid-tempo, physical affair where Vegas’ power play (22.4%, 13th) tests San Jose’s penalty kill (78.6%, 25th), potentially leading to a close, low-scoring contest.
Venue Location
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV. This 17,500-seat venue has been a strong home for the Golden Knights, where they’ve gone 9-4-5 this season, holding opponents to 2.6 goals per game on average.
Puckdriop is set for 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with local feeds on SCRIPPS (Sharks) and Vegas 34 (Golden Knights).
Injury Report
Both teams are banged up, but Vegas is hit harder in key areas, potentially forcing backups into prominent roles. Reports as of December 22 evening.
San Jose Sharks:
Out: Will Smith (upper body – week-to-week, expected Jan 3), Timothy Liljegren (D, upper body – Dec 27), Michael Misa (C, Jan 7), Philipp Kurashev (C, Dec 31), Vincent Desharnais (D, Dec 27).
Questionable/Probable: No major day-to-day reported; the team is managing with recalls like Sammy Blais.
Notable Notes: Smith’s injury is a blow to the young core; Liljegren’s absence thins the blue line, increasing load on Quinn and Walman. Misa and Kurashev’s issues limit forward depth.
Vegas Golden Knights:
Out: Alex Pietrangelo (D, hip – out for season, Jun 30 2026), Shea Theodore (D, upper body – Dec 27), Jack Eichel (lower body – Dec 23).
Questionable/Probable: No day-to-day; the team is monitoring Eichel closely.
Notable Notes: Pietrangelo’s season-ending hip injury is a massive loss to the blue line; Theodore and Eichel’s absences weaken defense and forward lines, forcing more from Karlsson and Stone.
Player Matchups
Injuries shift focus to secondary scorers, with the Sharks’ youth potentially exploiting Vegas’ depleted defense.
Macklin Celebrini (SJS) vs. Mark Stone (VGK): Celebrini (rookie sensation, recent 2-goal game vs CGY) brings speed and sniping (12 goals) against Stone’s defensive acumen (10 goals, strong takeaways). Celebrini’s highlight-reel plays test Vegas’ perimeter D, while Stone exploits San Jose’s 25th-ranked PK.
Barclay Goodrow (SJS) vs. Nicolas Roy (VGK): Goodrow (recent 2-goal game) provides grit against Roy’s two-way play. Goodrow’s net-front could capitalize on Vegas’ injuries, while Roy’s faceoffs (52.4%) control possession.
Yaroslav Askarov (SJS) vs. Adin Hill (VGK): Askarov (.910 SV%) faces Hill (.915 SV%). Askarov’s agility keeps San Jose in games, but Hill’s home form (.920 SV%) limits Sharks’ shots (28.6 per game, 20th).
Other Key Battles: Tyler Toffoli (SJS, veteran scorer) vs. Ivan Barbashev (VGK, physical forward); David Quinn (SJS D) vs. Tomas Hertl (VGK, ex-Shark with revenge motive).
Recent Team Forms
The Sharks have alternated wins and losses, while Vegas is on a three-game skid.
San Jose Sharks (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 20 | vs. SEA | L 2-4 |
| Dec 18 | vs. DAL | L 3-5 |
| Dec 16 | vs. CGY | W 5-4 (Celebrini 2 goals) |
| Dec 13 | vs. ANA | W 4-3 |
| Dec 11 | vs. DAL | L 3-4 |
Form: 2-3-0 in last 5, averaging 3.4 GPG while allowing 4.0. Losses to DAL and SEA exposed defensive issues, but the CGY win showed offensive spark (outscored 3-2 in third).
Vegas Golden Knights (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 21 | vs. EDM | L 3-4 |
| Dec 20 | at CGY | L 3-6 |
| Dec 17 | vs. NJD | L 1-2 |
| Dec 14 | vs. NYR | W 3-2 |
| Dec 9 | vs. NYI | L 4-5 |
Form: 1-4-0 in last 5, averaging 2.6 GPG while allowing 3.8. The EDM loss extended the skid, with defensive breakdowns despite strong third periods in some games.
Series History
Vegas holds a dominant all-time edge: 19-7-1 in regular-season games (70.4% win rate) since entering the league in 2017. Recently, the Golden Knights are 5-0 in the last five meetings, including a 4-3 win on October 9, 2025. At T-Mobile Arena, Vegas is 10-3-1 vs. San Jose. Series games have been high-scoring lately, averaging 6.2 goals per game in the last 10, with overs hitting in 7 of those.
Betting Trends
Over is 4-1 in Golden Knights’ last 5 as favorites; under is 3-2 in Sharks’ last 5 road games.
Golden Knights 3-2 ATS in last 5 home games; Sharks 2-3 ATS after a loss. Golden Knights 5-0 SU in last 5 vs. Sharks.
Game Odds
San Jose Sharks 6.5
Vegas Golden Knights – 225
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
