Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT local time).
Venue: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California. This is the home arena for the San Jose Sharks, with a capacity of approximately 17,562 for hockey games. It’s known for its modern facilities and has hosted the Sharks since 1993, featuring an intimate setup that amplifies crowd noise during key moments.
Recent Team Forms
Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets have been middling, going 3-2-0 in their last five games with a focus on defensive play but offensive struggles (averaging 2.6 GPG while allowing 3.0). Their form reflects a team battling injuries, with strong PK (75.9%) but weak PP (18.4%).
Their last five games:
Jan 3, 2026: W 5-1 at Buffalo Sabres (dominant road win; outshot opponents 35-26).
Jan 2, 2026: L 2-3 vs. New Jersey Devils (close but late turnover doomed them).
Dec 31, 2025: W 4-2 vs. Detroit Red Wings (balanced scoring; held foes under 30 shots).
Dec 29, 2025: L 3-4 OT at Pittsburgh Penguins (OT loss; rallied from 3-1 deficit).
Dec 27, 2025: W 3-2 vs. Ottawa Senators (gritty win; efficient special teams). Overall form: W-L-W-L-W, with a +1 goal differential in the last five. Road form is decent (9-8-3), but they’ve lost 3 of their last 5 away, with the total going UNDER in 4 of last 6 games.
San Jose Sharks: The Sharks are coming off a mixed bag, going 2-3-0 in their last five with offensive flashes (averaging 3.2 GPG) but defensive issues (allowing 3.4 GPG). Their PP (18.8%) and PK (77.1%) are average, but recent losses highlight fatigue.
Their last five games:
Jan 3, 2026: L 2-5 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Regenda hat trick in loss; defensive collapse).
Jan 2, 2026: W 4-3 OT at Anaheim Ducks (OT heroics; rallied late).
Dec 31, 2025: L 3-4 vs. Vegas Golden Knights (close but penalties hurt).
Dec 29, 2025: W 5-3 vs. Los Angeles Kings (strong power play; three PP goals).
Dec 27, 2025: L 2-4 at Seattle Kraken (limited shots; offensive drought). Overall form: L-W-L-W-L, with a -2 goal differential in the last five. Home form is solid (12-7-2), but they’ve lost 2 of their last 3 at SAP Center, with the total going OVER in 5 of last 7 games.
Series History
The San Jose Sharks hold a commanding all-time edge over the Columbus Blue Jackets, leading 40-29 in 69 regular-season meetings (58.0% win rate for San Jose).
At home, the Sharks are 24-12-1 against the Blue Jackets. Recently, San Jose is 3-1-1 in their last five meetings, outscoring Columbus by an average of 0.8 goals per game. However, the Blue Jackets have won 3 of the last 6 road games in the series. Games trend toward low scoring (UNDER in 4 of last 6), averaging 5.2 combined goals, with physical play and special-teams battles defining this inter-conference rivalry.
Injury Report
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Sean Monahan (C): Day-to-day (undisclosed; monitor pre-game, potential game-time decision).
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Erik Gudbranson (D): Injured reserve (undisclosed; placed on IR January 4, expected to miss time).
Brendan Smith (D): Injured reserve (undisclosed; placed on IR January 2).
Miles Wood (LW): Injured reserve (undisclosed; placed on IR January 2).
Isac Lundestrom (C): Injured reserve (undisclosed).
The Blue Jackets’ depth is tested, particularly on defense and forward lines.
San Jose Sharks:
John Klingberg (D): Injured reserve (lower-body; placed on IR January 5, expected to miss at least a week).
Will Smith (F): Week-to-week (upper-body).
Philipp Kurashev (F): Week-to-week (upper-body).
Collin Graf (F): Day-to-day (undisclosed; left practice January 5).
Shakir Mukhamadullin (D): Day-to-day (undisclosed).
Vincent Desharnais (D): Day-to-day (undisclosed).
The Sharks’ blue line is thinned, impacting their depth against Columbus’ attack.
Key Player Matchups
This inter-conference game pits Columbus’ young talent against San Jose’s rebuilding core, with special teams and goaltending key in a potentially low-scoring affair.
Sean Monahan (CBJ, C) vs. Mack Celebrini (SJS, C): If Monahan plays (day-to-day), his veteran leadership (faceoff specialist) tests Celebrini’s rookie speed (emerging playmaker). This center matchup could control the neutral zone.
Adam Fantilli (CBJ, F) vs. William Eklund (SJS, F): Fantilli (powerful forward) matches Eklund’s skill (top Sharks scorer). Their wing battle highlights secondary scoring in transition play.
Zach Werenski (CBJ, D) vs. Fabian Zetterlund (SJS, F): Werenski (elite defenseman) must contain Zetterlund’s shooting. Key for blue-line stability amid injuries.
Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ, G) vs. Vitek Vanecek (SJS, G): Merzlikins (.905 SV%) faces Vanecek (.910 SV%). Goaltending favors Vanecek at home, but Merzlikins’ experience could shine.
Betting Trends
Columbus Blue Jackets: 18-23 ATS overall (9-12 ATS away); 19-22 on over/under (10-11 O/U away). Trends: 3-2 SU in last 5; UNDER in 4 of last 6 road games; 9-3 SU as favorites this season; 2-3 ATS vs. Pacific Division.
San Jose Sharks: 20-21 ATS overall (11-10 ATS home); 22-19 on over/under (12-7 O/U home). Trends: 2-3 SU in last 5; OVER in 5 of last 7 games; 20 wins as underdog in 40 games (50%); 3-1-1 ATS vs. Metropolitan teams.
Head-to-Head: Sharks 40-29 all-time; SJS 3-1-1 SU last 5; UNDER in 4 of last 6 (average 5.2 goals). NHL trends: Road favorites like CBJ are 55% ATS vs. .500 teams; inter-conference games hit the UNDER 52% with totals at 6.5.
Game Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets – 125
San Jose Sharks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 5, 2026
