Game Preview: San Jose Sharks @ Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas returns to T-Mobile Arena on November 29, 2025, aiming to end a difficult month on a positive note when they host San Jose in a Pacific Division matchup. The Golden Knights, listed on the Vegas Golden Knights team page, have won just four of 13 games in November and enter on a four-game losing streak. The Sharks, found on the San Jose Sharks team page, come in on the opposite trajectory, having tied a franchise record with seven home wins in a single calendar month and posting a 9-4-1 record in November.
Vegas’ recent struggles include slow starts and limited scoring—only five goals in their last three games—while San Jose has leaned on strong goaltending, improved special teams, and a confident young core. With these teams sitting one point apart in the standings heading into Saturday, this divisional contest carries meaningful implications for early playoff positioning.
Odds and Key Information
The Golden Knights opened as heavy -338 favorites with the Sharks at +271 on the moneyline. The puckline lists San Jose +1.5 with modest plus-value. The total is 6.5, with modest lean toward the under based on recent offensive droughts for both teams.
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy emphasized the need for better finishing and early-game execution, noting that falling behind repeatedly has forced the team into chase mode. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky praised his team’s response after Wednesday’s lopsided loss in Denver, highlighting improved compete level and disciplined zone exits. Market sentiment reflects trust in Vegas’ roster depth but acknowledges San Jose’s sustained momentum.
San Jose Sharks Outlook
San Jose’s 12-10-3 record reflects one of the most surprising turnarounds of the early season. Friday’s 3-2 win over Vancouver showcased both resilience and special-teams prowess, with Will Smith and William Eklund generating power-play goals and Adam Gaudette delivering the eventual game-winner. The Sharks have excelled in November behind strong defensive commitment and goaltending reliability.
Rookie center Macklin Celebrini continues to be a focal point of the offense, leading the team with 36 points in 25 games. His blend of pace and creativity anchors a power play that ranks sixth in the league with 17 goals. Their defensive structure has also improved significantly, ranking second in the NHL with 406 blocked shots—a sign of strong buy-in within Warsofsky’s system.
San Jose’s concerns remain tied to roster health. Key absences include Logan Couture, Ryan Ellis, Michael Misa, Carey Price, and Jeff Skinner. These losses test lineup depth, but the Sharks’ recent surge shows resilience. Their ability to win as underdogs stems from disciplined structure, active sticks in the neutral zone, and improved shot suppression. For updated roster notes, bettors can check the Sharks injury report.
Vegas Golden Knights Outlook
Vegas enters the matchup at 10-7-8 and looking to correct scoring inefficiencies. The Golden Knights generated 31 shots Friday against Montreal but managed just one goal, continuing a downward offensive trend in which they have scored only five total goals across three games. Jack Eichel remains a steady force with 31 points in 24 games, but secondary scoring has been inconsistent.
Vegas sits top-10 leaguewide in total shots (724) and fourth in power-play goals, indicating strong underlying metrics despite recent results. Tomas Hertl’s high shot volume and physical presence provide opportunity for improved finishing, but sustained production from supporting lines is needed. Injuries remain a challenge. The Knights are without Adin Hill, William Karlsson, Jeremy Lauzon, Alex Pietrangelo, and Jakub Demek. These absences strain both defensive stability and special-teams chemistry. Updates are trackable via the Golden Knights injury report.
Coach Bruce Cassidy noted his team’s effort hasn’t been consistent enough in the offensive zone and stressed the importance of controlling early momentum. Vegas has historically dominated this matchup, owning a 28-2-5 all-time record against the Sharks, including 13-2-2 at T-Mobile Arena. Maintaining this trend will require cleaner breakout execution and stronger net-front presence.
Key Matchup Table
| Key Factor | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Power-Play Efficiency | Vegas Golden Knights |
| Goaltending Form | San Jose Sharks |
| Transition Defense | Vegas Golden Knights |
| Shot Blocking | San Jose Sharks |
| Top-Line Scoring Depth | Vegas Golden Knights |
Betting Trends
San Jose has demonstrated notable puckline success recently, covering in seven of its last 10 games. Their strong November run includes reliable defensive play and low-event totals that have pushed five straight unders.
Vegas, meanwhile, holds a 9-6 straight-up record in its last 15 games but has struggled as a favorite, covering the puckline in just 33.3 percent of those spots. The Golden Knights’ last three totals have all gone under due to inconsistent finishing.
For leaguewide market checks and broader betting comparisons, bettors can review the NHL odds overview.
The Lean
The model projects a tight contest, but Vegas retains an edge through roster depth, power-play advantage, and overwhelming historical dominance in this rivalry. San Jose’s recent surge and puckline reliability keep the matchup competitive, yet Vegas’ ability to generate sustained zone time and higher expected-goal outputs remains decisive.
Projected score: Vegas 4, San Jose 2. The recommended play is Vegas -338 on the moneyline, supported by matchup consistency and home-ice advantage. The total leans under 6.5, with both teams trending toward lower combined scoring and goaltending form stabilizing outcomes.
For additional breakdowns of Saturday’s NHL slate, bettors can browse the NHL previews section.
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Projected Final Score: Vegas Golden Knights 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Best Spread Pick: Vegas ML
Total Lean: Under 6.5


