Welcome back to this early December edition of NHL Predictions! Let’s look at the San Jose Sharks taking on the Florida Panthers. Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. This matchup between San Jose and Florida is a big one for both teams, as the Sharks are looking to avenge their performance in Tampa, while the Panthers are looking to keep the good times rolling. Finally, be sure to check out more predictions for all the NHL’s games throughout the 2024-25 season.
Time: 6 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)
TV: NBCSCA, SCRIPPS, ESPN+
The San Jose Sharks are looking to move on after losing 8-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. Before that game, the team had been hot by winning four of their last five games, so they’re hoping Thursday’s defeat is just a blip on the radar. Over the last five games, the offence has come by committee. Mikael Granlund has five points in that stretch and is the team’s leading scorer with 29 points. He was also named to Team Finland for the Four Nations Faceoff. William Eklund has established himself as a star in his second full campaign. He has 18 points and 23 points and is one of San Jose’s key forwards for the future. After a disastrous start to 2024-25, William Smith has really found his stride. He has three goals in the last five games and is up to 11 points. First-overall pick Macklin Celebrini is also continuing his great rookie campaign with 15 points in 17 games.
On the back end, Jake Walman is anchoring the team’s powerplay and leading the team’s defensive core in points. The Sharks acquired Walman for future considerations and the 28-year-old has rewarded the club well. Between the pipes, Vitek Vanecek got lit up by Tampa on Thursday. He faced just 12 shots and surrendered five goals in the first period before being pulled for Mackenzie Blackwood. Vanecek will likely get some time off, so expect Blackwood in the net against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
After a stretch from Nov. 12 to Nov. 25 where Florida lost six of seven games, the team has responded with wins in four of their last five. Recently, Matthew Tkachuk has exploded with 13 points in the last five games. He’s up to 28 points in 22 games. After signing an eight-year extension in the off-season, Sam Reinhart is tied for the league lead with 19 goals and is fifth in the NHL with 37 points. Captain Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe each also have over 20 points thus far. Defensively, Aaron Ekblad leads the club with 14 points. Shutdown defender Gustav Forsling has 12, while Niko Mikkola has 11 in his second full year with the club.
In the net, Sergei Bobrovsky is back as the team’s starter after leading the Panthers to the Stanley Cup a year ago. He’s started in 17 games and posted an .890 SV%. Youngster Spencer Knight has started the other ten games and has the same SV%. Bobrovsky should return to the net after the birth of his second child.
The Panthers are in the midst of some of their best hockey of the season. They sit tied on top of the Atlantic division and would love to secure two points from a Western Conference team. The Sharks just got embarrassed in Tampa and should respond with a bounce-back effort. Ultimately, however, expect the Panthers to earn the win in this one.
Prediction: Florida wins 4-2
Main Photo: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks
Here at Last Word on Hockey, we will preview and review all of the series from the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. In every series,
Welcome back to another NHL Predictions (Playoffs Edition). Each day, our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis.
Kevyn Adams has not made the playoffs in five seasons with Buffalo. However, the Buffalo Sabres announced today that he will be back as General
