The New York Rangers head to the West Coast for an interconference tilt against the San Jose Sharks on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Rangers, struggling with a sub-.500 record and sitting seventh in the Metropolitan Division, aim to snap a four-game road skid and capitalize on their veteran leadership to steal points in a tough building. The Sharks, fourth in the Pacific Division and riding a hot streak at home, look to extend their three-game winning run and solidify their playoff positioning with a balanced attack. This marks the second and final meeting of the season, with the Sharks winning the first 5-4 in overtime in New York on November 22, 2025, highlighted by a late equalizer from Macklin Celebrini.
Venue Location
SAP Center
San Jose, CA
Capacity: 17,562
(Opened in 1993 and known as the “Shark Tank,” this arena is home to the Sharks and famous for its raucous crowd, shark head entrance for the team, and high-energy atmosphere that has fueled numerous comebacks in recent seasons.)
Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET (7:30 PM PT)
Broadcast: MSG (Rangers local), NBCSCA (Sharks local)
Radio: ESPN New York 98.7 FM (Rangers), Sharks Audio Network 98.5 K-FOX (Sharks)
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with absences that could shift lineups, with New York hit harder on the blue line and San Jose managing forward depth issues.
New York Rangers:
Mika Zibanejad (C): Out (Lower body; IR, expected return early February)
Adam Fox (D): Questionable (Upper body; limited in practice)
Ryan Lindgren (D): Game-time decision (Illness)
Filip Chytil (C): Out (Concussion; out indefinitely)
Igor Shesterkin is expected to start in goal. The Rangers will rely on Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider for offensive spark if Zibanejad remains sidelined.
San Jose Sharks:
Mikael Granlund (C): Out (Shoulder; IR, expected return late January)
Barclay Goodrow (RW): Questionable (Lower body)
Ty Dellandrea (C): Game-time decision (Undisclosed)
Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund are healthy and anchoring the top lines. Mackenzie Blackwood is probable to start in net.
Key Player Matchups
This matchup contrasts New York’s veteran skill with San Jose’s youthful energy, potentially turning into a high-scoring affair given both teams’ defensive lapses.
Artemi Panarin (NYR) vs. Mario Ferraro (SJ): Breadman vs. shutdown D. Panarin (22G, 35A) leads the Rangers in points with his elite vision and shot, exploiting mismatches, but Ferraro’s physicality and shot-blocking (top-15 league-wide) could limit his space.
Chris Kreider (NYR) vs. Jake Walman (SJ): Net-front presence. Kreider (20G, 18A) thrives on tips and rebounds, facing Walman’s steady pairing and penalty kill contributions.
Vincent Trocheck (NYR) vs. Macklin Celebrini (SJ): Veteran vs. rookie. Trocheck (18G, 25A) dominates faceoffs (53.8%), while Celebrini (15G, 28A) brings speed and creativity as a Calder Trophy contender.
K’Andre Miller (NYR) vs. William Eklund (SJ): Defense vs. sniper. Miller’s length neutralizes Eklund’s (18G, 22A) quick release in the slot.
Other notes: New Jersey’s power play (22.0%, 14th) could exploit Vancouver’s penalty kill (78.4%, 20th). The Devils’ shots per game (30.8, 12th) test Markstrom’s workload.
Team Rankings
| Category | Rangers Rank (League) | Sharks Rank (League) |
| Goals Per Game | 2.92 (20th) | 3.10 (15th) |
| Goals Against Per Game | 3.20 (22nd) | 3.00 (15th) |
| Power Play % | 20.5% (18th) | 21.0% (16th) |
| Penalty Kill % | 79.0% (19th) | 80.0% (17th) |
| Shots Per Game | 29.0 (20th) | 30.2 (14th) |
| Faceoff % | 50.0% (15th) | 51.0% (11th) |
Recent Team Forms
New York has been middling, while San Jose surges at home.
New York Rangers (Last 10 Games: 4-5-1)
The Rangers have split recent games, with a 3-2 win over Ottawa (Jan. 18) but losses like 1-4 to Toronto (Jan. 21). Offense has dipped to 2.7 GPG, defense allowing 3.3.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | @ TOR | L | 1-4 | Panarin: 1G |
| Jan. 19 | vs. NJD | L | 2-3 | Kreider: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 18 | vs. OTT | W | 3-2 | Shesterkin: 28 saves |
| Jan. 16 | @ PIT | L (OT) | 3-4 | Panarin: 2A |
| Jan. 14 | vs. WSH | W | 4-2 | Kreider: 2G |
| Jan. 11 | @ NYI | L | 1-3 | Shesterkin: 25 saves |
| Jan. 9 | vs. CAR | W | 5-3 | Panarin: 1G, 2A |
| Jan. 7 | @ BUF | L | 2-4 | Kreider: 1G |
| Jan. 5 | vs. BOS | W (SO) | 3-2 | Shesterkin: 30 saves |
| Jan. 3 | @ MTL | L | 1-2 | Panarin: 1G |
San Jose Sharks (Last 10 Games: 6-3-1)
The Sharks have won six of their last 10, including a 4-2 home win over Los Angeles (Jan. 21). They’ve averaged 3.4 GPG in wins, with improved defense (2.6 GA/G).
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | vs. LAK | W | 4-2 | Celebrini: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 19 | @ ANA | W | 3-1 | Eklund: 2G |
| Jan. 18 | vs. ARI | W | 5-3 | Ferraro: 1G |
| Jan. 16 | @ VGK | L | 2-4 | Blackwood: 32 saves |
| Jan. 14 | vs. SEA | W (OT) | 3-2 | Celebrini: GWG |
| Jan. 11 | @ SJS (error; vs. EDM) | L | 1-3 | Eklund: 1G |
| Jan. 9 | vs. VAN | W | 4-3 | Ferraro: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 7 | @ CGY | L (SO) | 2-3 | Celebrini: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 5 | vs. ARI | W | 4-1 | Blackwood: 28 saves |
| Jan. 3 | @ LAK | L | 2-5 | Eklund: 1G |
Series History
San Jose leads the all-time series 32-28-5 in 65 regular-season games. The Sharks have won 4 of the last 7 meetings, but New York took the most recent 4-2 on November 22, 2025. Trends: The over has hit in 5 of the last 8 games, averaging 6.2 total goals.
| Date | Location | Result | Score | Puck Line Covered? |
| Nov. 22, 2025 | New York | NYR Win | 4-2 | NYR -1.5 |
| Mar. 5, 2025 | San Jose | SJ Win | 3-2 | SJ +1.5 |
| Nov. 16, 2024 | New York | NYR Win | 5-3 | NYR -1.5 |
| Mar. 10, 2024 | San Jose | SJ Win | 4-3 (OT) | NYR +1.5 (No) |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | New York | SJ Win | 3-2 | SJ +1.5 |
Betting Trends
Puck Line (ATS): Rangers 22-29 (43% cover rate); Sharks 25-24 (51% cover rate). New York is 4-6 ATS in last 10, San Jose 6-4 ATS. Over/Under (O/U): Rangers games hit over 26-25 (51%); Sharks 24-25 (49%). Last 10 Sharks games average 5.8 total goals. Moneyline (ML): Sharks 20-24 as favorites (45% win rate); Rangers 10-18 as underdogs. San Jose is 14-11 straight-up at home. Recent Trends: Rangers 2-5 SU last 7 road games; 3-7 ATS vs. West. Sharks 5-2 SU last 7 home; over in 6 of last 10 vs. East.
San Jose’s home strength (14-9-2) and 6-3-1 last 10 give them a 58% win probability. New York’s road woes (9-13-3) and injuries favor the hosts. New York covers 43% of puck lines but keeps games competitive (4-3-1 last 8 as underdogs). Sharks are 6-4 ATS; expect a close score. Both trend over slightly (NYR 51%, SJ 49%); last five meetings averaged 6.2 goals. Offensive stars push pace.
Game Odds
New York Rangers 6.5
San Jose Sharks – 120
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 22, 2026
