San Jose Sharks v Pittsburgh Penguins: the preview
San Jose Sharks meet Pittsburgh Penguins at SAP Center at San Jose, Thursday 2:00pm (NHL). Pittsburgh Penguins have won 17 of the 33 meetings with San Jose Sharks since 2009.
The big picture
San Jose Sharks come in 29th on the ladder; Pittsburgh Penguins are 25th. Pittsburgh Penguins are the side higher up the table.
San Jose Sharks are 7–11 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 2.5 goals for and 3.6 against.
Pittsburgh Penguins are 5–11 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.2 goals for and 3.6 against.
Form
San Jose Sharks have won one of their last five and most recently lost to Minnesota Wild 1–4.
Pittsburgh Penguins have won one of their last five and most recently lost to Boston Bruins 2–6.
San Jose Sharks have lost their last four.
Pittsburgh Penguins have lost their last four.
Head to head
These sides have met 33 times on our records since 2009: San Jose Sharks 16, Pittsburgh Penguins 17.
Last time out (2025-26), San Jose Sharks won 6–5 at PPG Paints Arena.
Biggest margin between these two: Pittsburgh Penguins by 8 goals in 2023-24 (10–2).
Players to watch
For San Jose Sharks, watch Macklin Celebrini (0.4 goals a game, 11 assists in 2026-27) and Will Smith (0.3 goals a game, 5 assists in 2026-27).
For Pittsburgh Penguins, watch Nick Robertson (0.4 goals a game in 2026-27) and Evgeni Malkin (0.4 goals a game, 5 assists in 2026-27).
At SAP Center at San Jose
San Jose Sharks have won 7 of their last 18 at SAP Center at San Jose.
What the numbers say
On form, ladder and history, Pittsburgh Penguins have the edge.
Written automatically from Lineball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.
