The SAP Center in San Jose was buzzing with anticipation as the Dallas Stars rolled into town to face the San Jose Sharks in a highly anticipated NHL showdown on January 10, 2026. With the Stars holding a commanding 26-10-8 record and sitting second in the Western Conference, and the Sharks sporting a respectable 22-18-3 slate, this final regular-season meeting between the two teams promised plenty of drama and playoff implications.
Both teams entered the contest with something to prove. For the Stars, their consistency this season has been undeniable, but recent form suggested a bit of a wobble—Dallas was 4-3-3 in their last 10 games. The Sharks, on the other hand, had found a spark, boasting a 6-4-0 record over the same stretch and looking to capitalize on their momentum at home, where they held a 12-8-3 record. The stage was set for a clash of styles and ambitions, with the Stars favored at -170 on the moneyline and the Sharks considered +145 underdogs by the bookmakers.
Dallas's firepower this season has been among the league's best. The Stars ranked second in the NHL with 150 goals for (an average of 3.4 per game) and boasted a formidable +29 goal differential, third-best in the league. Their special teams have been a real difference-maker, with a power play operating at a sizzling 29.5%—good for third in the NHL—and a penalty kill at 81.6%, ranking 12th. "Discipline will be key for San Jose today," noted one analyst, aware that the Sharks' own special teams have lagged behind, with a power play at 19.7% and a penalty kill at 78.1%.
Individually, the Stars' offensive leaders have turned heads all season. Mikko Rantanen has racked up 59 points (17 goals, 42 assists), while Jason Robertson remains the team's top goal scorer with 25 tallies. Wyatt Johnston, just behind with 24 goals, has been a revelation, consistently surpassing his shots-on-goal lines—he averaged three shots per game in January and had five in his last outing against the Capitals. According to projections, Johnston was expected to notch over 2.5 shots on goal in this contest, a feat he had achieved in his previous three games.
On the blue line, Miro Heiskanen's steady play and 35 points have anchored Dallas's defense, while Roope Hintz added 33 points of his own, winning nearly 58% of his faceoffs. The Stars' defensive unit has been stingy, allowing just 121 goals (2.8 per game), ranking eighth in the league.
Between the pipes, the Stars turned to Casey DeSmith, who has been rock-solid in his appearances this season. DeSmith entered the game with a 10-2-4 record and a .916 save percentage, proving that even as a backup, he's no easy mark. Injuries, however, forced the Stars to shuffle their lines, with Tyler Seguin, Lian Bichsel, and Jamie Benn all sidelined. The projected forward lines included Matt Duchene centering Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen, and Jason Robertson skating alongside Roope Hintz and Mavrik Bourque. Depth was provided by the likes of Justin Hryckowian, Sam Steel, and Nathan Bastian, while the defensive corps was led by Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen.
The Sharks, meanwhile, have been no strangers to adversity this season, especially when facing top-tier competition like Dallas. In their previous two meetings, the Stars set the tone early—jumping out to first-period leads and forcing San Jose to play catch-up, resulting in Dallas victories of 4-1 and 5-3. For the Sharks, a strong start was paramount to avoid repeating history. "Getting a good start would go a long way to exorcising some of these demons," remarked a local reporter.
San Jose's offense has been led by rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini, who entered the game with an impressive 67 points (24 goals, 43 assists), making him not just the top scorer on the team but one of the league's most exciting young talents. Alexander Wennberg added 30 points, while William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli contributed 28 points apiece. The Sharks' power play, though middle of the pack at 19.7%, has been opportunistic, converting on 29 of 147 chances.
Defensively, the Sharks have struggled, surrendering 150 goals (3.5 per game), ranking 29th in the league. Their goal differential stood at -16, and with several key players out—Ty Dellandrea and Will Smith among them—depth was being tested. Alex Nedeljkovic was expected to get the nod in net, while Yaroslav Askarov, with a 3.4 goals-against average and .894 save percentage, was available for relief. The Sharks' defensive pairs featured Dmitry Orlov and Timothy Liljegren, with Mario Ferraro and Vincent Iorio providing additional support.
Despite the challenges, the Sharks had reason for optimism. Their recent form outpaced Dallas, and home-ice advantage at the SAP Center is never to be underestimated. The Sharks' projected lines featured William Eklund, Macklin Celebrini, and Igor Chernyshov on the top unit, with depth provided by the likes of Pavol Regenda, Alexander Wennberg, and Tyler Toffoli. Barclay Goodrow, Zack Ostapchuk, and Ryan Reaves rounded out the forward group, bringing grit and experience to the fourth line.
From a betting perspective, the over/under was set at 6.5 goals, with odds slightly favoring the over. Expert predictions leaned toward a close contest, with some suggesting a 4-3 edge for Dallas but noting the potential for a Sharks cover on the +1.5 puck line. The Stars' high-powered offense and the Sharks' recent scoring surge suggested fireworks, but with both teams missing key pieces, defensive lapses or goaltending heroics could swing the outcome.
Broadcast coverage was robust, with ESPN+ carrying the national feed and local options available for both fan bases. Sharks fans tuned in via NBCSCA and the Sharks Audio Network, while Stars fans had access on Victory+ and local radio stations.
As the puck dropped at 4 p.m. ET, all eyes were on the SAP Center to see if the Stars would continue their dominance or if the Sharks could finally flip the script. With playoff positioning at stake and individual milestones on the line, the action was expected to be fast, physical, and fiercely contested. With the game still ongoing, the battle between Dallas and San Jose remains one to watch, as both teams look to make a statement in the crowded Western Conference race.
