NHL Game Preview: San Jose Sharks (14-13-3) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (15-9-3)

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The San Jose Sharks (14-13-3), fresh off a road win that snapped a mini-skid but still searching for consistency on the West Coast, travel to face the Philadelphia Flyers (15-9-3) in a cross-conference showdown at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Philadelphia, clinging to a wild-card spot in the East with a stingy home defense (No. 9 in goals against at 2.59 GAA at home), hosts a Sharks team that’s potent on the power play (19.1%, No. 14) but leaky in net (.896 SV%, No. 28). This is the first meeting since the Flyers swept the season series last year (3-0-0), adding revenge motivation for San Jose’s young core. Expect a grind with physicality in the corners—Flyers’ forecheck vs. Sharks’ transition speed could dictate pace in a total leaning under.

Game Details

Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Broadcast: ESPN+, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Philadelphia

Team Records

TeamOverall RecordHome RecordRoad RecordPacific/Metro Division Stand
San Jose Sharks14-13-39-5-35-8-05th in Pacific
Philadelphia Flyers15-9-39-5-26-4-16th in Metropolitan

San Jose ranks No. 23 in goals per game (2.83) but No. 21 in goals against (3.27), with a -13 differential. Philadelphia is balanced (No. 24 in GPG at 2.81, No. 11 in GA/GP at 2.85), going 15-1-3 when leading after two periods.

Injury Report

Both teams are banged up on defense, thinning pairings and forcing prospects into action—San Jose’s blue line takes the bigger hit.

TeamPlayerPositionStatusInjury DetailsEstimated Return
San Jose SharksMichael MisaCOut (IR-LT)Lower BodyDecember 16
Vincent DesharnaisDOut (IR)Upper BodyDecember 16
Logan CoutureCOut (IR)GroinSeptember 15, 2026
Lucas CarlssonDOutLower BodyTBD
Jack ThompsonDOutUndisclosedTBD
Ryan EllisDOut (IR)BackJuly 1, 2026
Philadelphia FlyersTyson FoersterRWOut (IR)Upper BodyFebruary 3
Cameron YorkDDay-to-DayUpper BodyDecember 9
Rasmus RistolainenDOut (IR-NR)TricepsDecember 13

Misa’s LTIR (prospect center) and Desharnais’ absence overload San Jose’s right side, pushing Jake Walman to 24+ minutes. Foerster’s scoring touch (11G in 21GP) is missed for Philly, while York’s doubtful status tests Emil Andrae in the top four.

Recent Team Forms

San Jose’s road-heavy December (2-3-0 last five) shows offensive flashes but defensive fragility (19 GA in last five). Philadelphia has cooled (2-3-0), leaking soft goals despite a strong November.

San Jose Sharks Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResultKey Notes
Nov. 29@ VGKL 3-4Celebrini 1G; PP goal, but 24 SOG wasted
Dec. 1vs. UTAW 6-3Smith 2G; 1/4 PP, season-high scoring
Dec. 3vs. WSHL 1-7Defensive collapse; 0/5 PP, Askarov pulled
Dec. 5@ DALL 1-4Low-event loss; 17 SOG, Nedeljkovic 24 saves
Dec. 7@ CARW 4-1Celebrini 3P in 100th game; Strong PK (3/3)

Form: 2-3-0 (ATS: 2-3). Sharks averaging 3.0 GPG but 3.8 GA/GP lately.

Philadelphia Flyers Last 5 Games:

DateOpponentResultKey Notes
Dec. 1vs. PITL 1-5Blew early lead; Ersson pulled, 0/2 PP
Dec. 3vs. BUFW 5-2Konecny 2G; 2/3 PP, balanced attack
Dec. 7vs. COLL 2-3Close loss; Vladar 28 saves, but late collapse
Nov. 29@ NJDW 3-2Tippett GWG; Defensive edge (26 SA)
Nov. 27vs. NYRL 4-5 OTHigh-scoring; 1/4 PP, OT defeat

Form: 2-3-0 (ATS: 3-2). Flyers 4-1 SU in last five home games, unders in 3 of 5 (avg. 5.8 goals).

Series History

Since the Sharks’ 1991 inception, San Jose holds a slight all-time edge in regular-season play (28-21-4), but Philadelphia has won the last three meetings, including a 4-0 shutout on New Year’s Eve 2024. Low-scoring trend persists.

All-Time Regular Season: Sharks lead 28-21-4 (56.6% win rate)

Last 10 Meetings: Sharks 5-5-0

Recent Results:

Dec. 31, 2024: Flyers 4-0 (at SJS; shutout)

Nov. 11, 2024: Flyers 4-3 (at PHI)

Mar. 12, 2024: Flyers 3-2 (at PHI)

Nov. 7, 2023: Sharks 2-1 (at SJS)

Dec. 29, 2022: Flyers 4-3 (at SJS)

Series averages 5.6 goals, with unders in 7 of last 10. San Jose is 2-3 SU in last five road games vs. Philadelphia.

Key Player Matchups

Youth vs. experience defines this tilt, with Celebrini’s dynamism testing Philly’s vets.

Macklin Celebrini (SJS, 7G-10A-17P) vs. Travis Konecny (PHI, 12G-8A-20P): Celebrini’s rookie vision (team-high 10A) exploits switches; Konecny’s sniping (18.4% SH%) and grit (team-high PIM) shadow him. Konecny has 3G in last two vs. SJS. Edge: Flyers—Konecny’s home production.

Will Smith (SJS, 6G-9A-15P) vs. Sean Couturier (PHI, 5G-11A-16P): Smith’s playmaking (2.1 SOG/GP) feeds rushes; Couturier’s two-way reliability (55% FO) neutralizes. Edge: Toss-up; Smith’s PP threat (3 PPG).

Fabian Zetterlund (SJS, 8G-7A-15P) vs. Owen Tippett (PHI, 9G-6A-15P): Zetterlund’s speed (plus-2) vs. Tippett’s shot (15.2% SOG); Tippett’s GWG history vs. SJS. Edge: Flyers—Tippett’s finishing.

Goalie Duel: Yaroslav Askarov/Nico Sturm (SJS, .896 SV%) vs. Samuel Ersson (PHI, .891 SV%): San Jose’s tandem struggles on road (.885); Ersson’s rebound control (1.12 GAA home) shines. Edge: Flyers.

Betting Trends

Puck Line: Philadelphia 6-4 ATS as home favorites; San Jose 5-5 ATS on road.

Total: 5.5 to 6 (O -130 to -135; U +114 to -110). Unders in 7 of Flyers’ last 10 home (avg. 5.2 goals); series unders 70%.

Other Trends:

Sharks: 5-5 SU in last 10; Over in 6 of last 8 road.

Flyers: 9-2 SU when favored by -170+; Under in 15 of 30 games.

Game Odds

San Jose Sharks                5.5

Philadelphia Flyers         – 180

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025