San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames Picks and Predictions December 16th 2025

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Match Facts

ItemDetail
MatchupCalgary Flames at San Jose Sharks
DateTuesday
SettingSharks open a three-game homestand
Standings angleSan Jose holds a Western wild-card spot; Calgary sits five points back
Recent formSharks on a two-game win streak; Flames have won four of their last five
Key storylineSan Jose is coming off a historic late comeback win; Calgary has dominated the head-to-head series recently

For the live matchup page and market board, use NHL scores and odds.

Line and Odds

  • Moneyline: Calgary may draw support due to recent head-to-head dominance and the goaltending edge; San Jose will take money if the market prices in their current momentum and home ice
  • Puck line: Flames -1.5 is typically the plus-money option; Sharks +1.5 is usually juiced in a matchup expected to be tight
  • Total: pricing will be heavily influenced by projected pace and goaltender confirmation, especially if Calgary starts Dustin Wolf

This matchup can pull prices in opposite directions. San Jose is riding emotion, confidence, and a loud “we’re never out” identity after back-to-back overtime wins, which can inflate public appetite for the home side. Calgary’s case is colder and more repeatable: strong recent results, low-event structure, and a recent history of controlling this opponent. If the Sharks’ late comeback narrative pushes their price too far, it creates a more attractive entry point on the Flames side.

For side-by-side betting options, check NHL picks.

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Movement Matchup

If the market shifts late, it’s likely to be driven by two things: San Jose’s forward availability and Calgary’s goaltender. The Sharks just put two forwards on the injured list, which can affect both their scoring depth and their special teams rotations. Calgary’s path to winning usually looks the same regardless of venue: keep the game in front, protect the middle, and turn opponent mistakes into quick-strike chances.

The tactical swing is whether San Jose can create sustained offensive-zone time without relying on “late chaos” sequences. Calgary will be focused on taking away second and third chances, forcing San Jose to earn entries, and keeping Celebrini from dictating the game through the middle of the ice. If the Flames keep structure, the Sharks will need to beat them with patience rather than adrenaline.

Breakdown Injury Reports

San Jose Sharks

PlayerStatusNotes
Will SmithOutPlaced on injured list after leaving the Pittsburgh game
Philipp KurashevOutPlaced on injured list after leaving the Pittsburgh game
Igor ChernyshovUp from minorsCalled up for added forward depth
Ethan CardwellUp from minorsCalled up for added forward depth

Calgary Flames

PlayerStatusNotes
Monitor pregame updates for any late scratches or goaltender confirmation

For roster context and recent team snapshots, use NHL teams.

San Jose Sharks Recent performance

San Jose enters feeling like a team that can win any type of game. The Sharks just closed a road swing with a 6-5 overtime win in Pittsburgh after scoring five unanswered goals in the final eight minutes of regulation. That kind of finish doesn’t happen unless a group stays connected, pushes pace, and plays with belief.

The wins have also come in different shapes. They beat Toronto 3-2 in overtime after trailing late in the second period, then followed it with a comeback that belongs in the “how did that happen” category. Celebrini remains the headline driver, but the key development is depth production, including a surge from John Klingberg, who has been stacking points and delivering timely goals.

The concern is whether San Jose can maintain the same offensive pressure while absorbing two forward injuries. Even if the top-end remains intact, losing depth can show up on matchups, late shifts, and special teams.

Calgary Flames Recent performance

Calgary is trending the right way despite a season-long scoring profile that sits near the bottom of the league. They’ve won four of their last five and are in the middle of a strong run where the process looks consistent: defend, manage the puck, and generate enough quality to win close games.

Their 2-1 overtime win over Los Angeles on Saturday is a clean blueprint for how they want to play on the road. They controlled large portions of the game, outshot the Kings significantly, and got a short-handed goal from Blake Coleman that reflected both effort and structure. Add in the “dads trip” energy and you have a team that’s likely to come out with urgency, not sit back, and try to punch first.

The most important matchup note is Calgary’s recent dominance against San Jose. The Flames have won seven straight meetings and 12 of the last 13 overall, and Dustin Wolf has historically been excellent in this matchup.

San Jose’s current form is real, but it’s also volatile. Huge comebacks are emotional fuel, not a stable repeatable edge, and the league usually punishes teams that rely on late-game chaos to flip outcomes. The Sharks can still win, but their cleaner path is getting to their forecheck early and building leads instead of chasing.

Calgary’s profile is more repeatable. They’ve been winning close games with structure, and they bring a strong opponent-specific edge: recent head-to-head control and a goaltender who has consistently delivered against this team. The “styles” clash matters too. If the Flames can keep this from turning into a wide-open track meet, their probability rises sharply.

San Jose’s injuries are the swing variable. Losing two forwards can compress the lineup and reduce the quality of secondary lines, which matters against a team that tends to win by forcing depth players into mistakes.

If you want a broader lens on how this game fits Calgary’s divisional landscape, use Pacific Division odds.

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Best bet and Prediction

Best bet: Flames moneyline.

This is the best bet because it aligns with the most repeatable edges in the matchup: Calgary’s recent control of the series, the potential goaltending advantage if Wolf starts, and a game script that naturally pressures a Sharks lineup dealing with two injured forwards. San Jose’s surge is impressive, but it’s been powered by late swings and overtime finishes that are difficult to bank on game-to-game. Calgary is built to lower variance, and that matters most against a team that has been living on momentum.

Prediction: Flames 4, Sharks 2.

Handicapper section

Keep your plays consistent with a single game script. If you’re backing Calgary, you’re betting on structure, goaltending, and a lower-variance path, so don’t pair that with overs that require the game to turn chaotic. If you’re leaning San Jose, the strongest case is home energy plus elite top-end creation, which pairs better with plus-money angles rather than laying big prices.

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