The Dallas Stars head to the West Coast to face the San Jose Sharks in a Central vs. Pacific Division interconference matchup. With the Stars holding a strong position atop the Central and the Sharks pushing for a playoff spot in the Pacific, this game could showcase Dallas’ balanced attack against San Jose’s emerging young talent led by Macklin Celebrini. The Stars aim to build on their recent win to snap a prior skid, while the Sharks look to leverage home ice after an overtime victory.
Venue Location
SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT).
Recent Team Forms
The Stars have gone 4-4-2 in their last 10 games, with a +3 goal differential, rebounding from a six-game losing streak.
They secured a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals on January 7, averaging 3.2 goals scored and 3.0 allowed in that span, with strong goaltending from Jake Oettinger.
On the road, Dallas is 14-4-5, winning three of their last five away contests despite occasional defensive lapses.
The Sharks are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, with a +2 goal differential, showing improved form amid a playoff push.
They earned a 4-3 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings on January 7, but suffered a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay on January 3, averaging 3.3 goals scored and 3.1 allowed.
At home, San Jose is 12-8-1, with a boost from young stars but vulnerable to high-shot volumes (31.2 shots against per game).
Injury Report
Dallas Stars:
Tyler Seguin (C): Out (ACL tear; season-ending surgery).
Jamie Benn (LW): Day-to-day (Undisclosed).
Lian Bichsel (D): Out (Undisclosed).
Adam Erne (LW): Day-to-day (Undisclosed).
These absences deplete Dallas’ forward depth, forcing more reliance on Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene.
San Jose Sharks:
Will Smith (C): IR (Upper body; expected out until at least January 12, practicing non-contact).
Vincent Desharnais (D): IR (Upper body; expected out until at least January 15).
Shakir Mukhamadullin (D): IR (Undisclosed; recently activated but status unclear).
John Klingberg (D): IR (Lower body; practiced, eligible to return).
Ty Dellandrea (C): Out (Lower body; week-to-week).
San Jose’s blue line is thinned, potentially exposing them to Dallas’ speed, though Klingberg’s possible return helps.
Player Matchups to Watch
Projected lineups emphasize Dallas’ depth against San Jose’s youth, with goaltending potentially decisive.
Wyatt Johnston (Stars C) vs. Macklin Celebrini (Sharks C): Johnston (projected 0.58 goals/game) centers Dallas’ top line with speed and finishing, facing Celebrini (24 goals, 43 assists; 1.58 points/game), San Jose’s dynamic rookie who’s tallied points in 8 of his last 10.
This young guns duel could control the game’s tempo.
Matt Duchene (Stars LW) vs. Alexander Wennberg (Sharks C): Duchene brings veteran scoring (0.62 points/game), testing Wennberg’s recent hot streak (1 goal, 8 assists in last 10).
Expect playmaking battles in the neutral zone.
Roope Hintz (Stars C) vs. Fabian Zetterlund (Sharks RW): Hintz’s two-way play (0.55 goals/game) clashes with Zetterlund’s physicality and shot volume (3.1 shots/game).
Goaltending: Jake Oettinger (Stars) vs. Vitek Vanecek or Yaroslav Askarov (Sharks) – Oettinger holds a .912 save percentage edge.
Series History
The Stars hold a 78-51-14 all-time edge in 143 meetings against the Sharks.
In the last 10 games, Dallas is 9-1-0, including a 5-3 win on December 18, 2025.
The Stars have won eight straight in San Jose, outscoring the Sharks 28-15 in those contests, with games trending over (hitting in 7 of 10).
Betting Trends
Stars are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 as favorites and 9-1 SU vs. Sharks in last 10.
Sharks are 13-5 in their last 18 vs. Central teams but 4-5 ATS at home.
The over has hit in 6 of Dallas’ last 10 road games and 3 of San Jose’s last 7 as underdogs.
Game Odds
Dallas Stars – 175
San Jose Sharks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 9, 2026
