Pittsburgh Penguins vs San Jose Sharks prediction & odds

The upcoming game between the San Jose Sharks and the Pittsburgh Penguins promises to be an intriguing matchup as both teams look to improve their standings in the NHL. This game marks the beginning of their series, which officially starts on November 11, 2026.

In their recent form, the Sharks have struggled, losing four out of their last five games. Their most recent outing was a victory against the New York Islanders, where they won 3-2 in a shootout on November 10, 2026. Prior to that, they faced defeats against the Calgary Flames (2-1), Los Angeles Kings (7-2), Minnesota Wild (4-1), and Dallas Stars (4-3).

On the other hand, the Penguins have also faced difficulties, having lost four of their last five games as well. Their last game resulted in a 5-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on November 9, 2026. Prior to that, they managed a win against the Los Angeles Kings (5-2) but suffered defeats against the Montreal Canadiens (5-4), Vegas Golden Knights (3-2), and Boston Bruins (6-2).

When it comes to home versus away performance, the Sharks have a home record of 2-3 in their last five games, while the Penguins have a similar away record of 1-4. The Sharks' scoring average at home is 2.0 goals per game, with an average of 3.8 goals allowed. Conversely, the Penguins have averaged 3.0 goals scored and 4.2 goals allowed in their last five away games.

In terms of head-to-head meetings this season, the teams are tied with one win each. The Sharks lost 0-3 to the Penguins in their first encounter on October 19, 2026, but managed to secure a victory in their second meeting on December 13, 2025, winning 6-5.

Injury concerns may also play a significant role in the game. The Sharks have three players on injured reserve: Igor Chernyshov, Quentin Musty, and Kyle Keyser, all dealing with upper body injuries. The Penguins have several players on injured reserve as well, including Elmer Soderblom (upper body), Bryan Rust (lower body), Trevor van Riemsdyk (lower body), and Ryan Graves (knee). Ville Koivunen is listed as day-to-day due to a lower body issue.

The betting market has set the odds for this matchup, with DraftKings pricing the Penguins at -148 and the Sharks at +124 on the money line. The spread is set at 1.5, and the total for the game is 6.5, with the odds for the over at -142 and the under at +120.

As the game approaches, viewers should keep an eye on the performance of key players. For the Sharks, Macklin Celebrini leads the team with 7 goals and 14 assists, totaling 21 points. For the Penguins, Tommy Novak also has 7 goals, while Erik Karlsson leads in assists with 15 and points with 18. Both teams will need their top players to step up to secure a much-needed victory.