Puckdrop: 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET)
Venue: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
Broadcast: Victory+ (Stars region), NBCSCA (Sharks region), ESPN+ (streaming)
The Dallas Stars, one of the NHL’s top teams, visit a resurgent San Jose Sharks squad riding a three-game win streak. Dallas dominates the head-to-head series and boasts the league’s best road record, but San Jose has been strong at home and features rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini leading the offense. This is the second of three meetings this season, with Dallas winning the first 4-1 on December 5.
Team Records
Dallas Stars: 22-7-5 (49 points, 2nd in Central Division)
San Jose Sharks: 17-14-3 (37 points, 5th in Pacific Division)
Recent Team Forms
Dallas Stars (7-2-1 in last 10 games): Dallas continues to roll, most recently defeating the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on December 16 with strong shot volume (52 attempts) and third-period dominance. They lead the league in road points percentage (.765), rank 2nd in road scoring (3.53 GF/G), and have an elite road penalty kill (88.1%). Overall, they allow just 2.59 GA/G (top-5) but rank low in shots per game (25.1, 30th).
San Jose Sharks (6-4-0 in last 10 games; on 3-game win streak): The Sharks are surging, capping a 6-3 win over Calgary on December 16 behind Macklin Celebrini’s four-point night. They rank high in first-period scoring (3rd with 37 goals) and have gone 10-5-3 at home. However, they allow the most shots per game (31.6, last) and struggle in third periods (31st with 26 goals).
Injury Report
Dallas Stars:
Tyler Seguin (C): IR-LT (ACL, likely out for season).
Lian Bichsel (D): IR-LT (lower body, out until late January).
Adam Erne (LW): IR-LT (lower body, possible return soon).
Impact: Significant loss in Seguin’s scoring and faceoffs; depth tested but recent returns (e.g., Matt Duchene from concussion) have helped.
San Jose Sharks:
Will Smith (C): IR (upper body, out until late December).
Philipp Kurashev (C): IR (upper body, week-to-week/until late December).
Vincent Desharnais (D): IR (upper body, out until after Christmas).
Ty Dellandrea (C): Day-to-day.
Impact: Depleted forward group forces reliance on Celebrini and prospects; defense missing size.
Key Player Matchups and Notes
Probable Goalies:
Dallas: Jake Oettinger (strong road splits expected).
San Jose: Yaroslav Askarov (young netminder facing tough test).
Key Matchups:
Mikko Rantanen (DAL) vs. Sharks Defense: Rantanen leads Dallas with 44 points (14G, 30A) in 33 games, on a five-game point streak vs. San Jose (4G, 3A). Career vs. Sharks: 34 points in 27 games (+18). Hot lately with 16 points in last 10.
Jason Robertson (DAL) vs. Sharks Top Pair: On a 10-game point streak vs. San Jose (8G, 7A—15 points); career 17 points in 13 games (1.31 PPG).
Roope Hintz (DAL) vs. Sharks Centers: Six-game streak vs. San Jose (3G, 4A—7 points).
Macklin Celebrini (SJS) vs. Stars Top Lines: The rookie phenom has 51 points (18G, 33A) in 34 games (3rd in NHL scoring), including an eight-point streak over three games and four points in the last win. Faces stiff test against Dallas’ structure.
Matt Duchene (DAL) Return Impact: Back from injury, posted a goal and assist in recent win; pairs well with Rantanen for possession dominance.
Special Teams Edge: Dallas PP 31.4% (top-3), PK 82.4%; Sharks PP 18.5% (bottom-10), PK 78.6%.
Projected Lines (based on recent trends): Dallas Stars (approximate):
Robertson – Hintz – Benn
Duchene – Rantanen – Johnston
Others adjusted for depth.
San Jose Sharks (approximate, with injuries):
Toffoli – Celebrini – Eklund/Coronado
Adjusted top lines heavy on Celebrini; prospects filling gaps.
Series History
All-time: Dallas leads 78-51-14 (39-27-6 on road).
Recent: Dallas has won the last seven meetings (outscoring San Jose 34-19), including three straight at SAP Center.
This season: Dallas won 4-1 on Dec. 5; final meeting Jan. 10 in San Jose.
Trend: Complete Dallas dominance lately.
Betting Trends
Dallas 7-0 SU last 7 vs. San Jose; 15-5 SU last 20 overall; 8-3 SU last 11 road.
San Jose 4-1 SU last 5; 8-2 SU last 10 home.
H2H: Over has hit in 5 straight Dallas road games vs. San Jose; but Under in 6 of Dallas’ last 8 overall.
Game Odds
Dallas Stars – 205
San Jose Sharks 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 17, 2025
