Lightning Eager to Get Jake Guentzel Back for Big Game Against Sharks

The Tampa Bay Lightning are gearing up for a three-game road trip in California, starting with Thursday’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks. But whether their top offseason pickup, Jake Guentzel, will hit the ice remains up in the air.

Will Guentzel Be Ready?

Jake Guentzel, the Lightning’s major offseason signing, has been a game-changer this season. After the team said goodbye to their longtime captain Steven Stamkos, Guentzel was brought in from the Carolina Hurricanes and signed to a $63 million, seven-year deal. And he’s been earning every penny—20 goals and 17 assists in 33 games so far.

Unfortunately, Guentzel went headfirst into the boards during Saturday’s 6-2 win over the New York Rangers and hasn’t played since. He missed Sunday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, and his status for Thursday is still a question mark.

Coach Jon Cooper sounded cautiously optimistic earlier this week:

Guentzel practiced on the top line Tuesday (wearing a non-contact jersey), so there’s hope he might suit up. If not, 13-year NHL veteran Cam Atkinson will likely step in. Atkinson’s numbers this season aren’t flashy—three goals and two assists in 21 games—but his experience could help fill the gap.

Lightning Rolling into San Jose

Tampa Bay heads into the game riding high. They crushed the Sharks 8-1 in their last matchup on December 5, scoring five goals in the first period alone. Brayden Point was the star of that show with four assists.

This time around, the Lightning will look to keep that momentum going and solidify their playoff push. They’ve shown they can score big, but consistency will be key as they take on a Sharks team desperate for a turnaround.

The Sharks’ Struggles Continue

Things haven’t been pretty for the Sharks this season. They started with an awful 0-7-2 record and managed to climb out of that hole for a bit, only to fall right back in. December was a disaster—San Jose went 2-10-1 and is currently stuck in an eight-game losing streak.

After their latest loss, a 4-0 shutout by the Philadelphia Flyers, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky didn’t hold back:

The Sharks have the second-worst point percentage in the league (.350), barely ahead of the Blackhawks (.342). They’ve also played more games than most Western Conference teams but have little to show for it.

Celebrini Shines Amid the Chaos

One bright spot for the Sharks? Rookie Macklin Celebrini. Despite San Jose’s struggles, Celebrini has been a standout with 12 goals so far—tying him with Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov for the rookie lead.

Still, San Jose is missing another key forward, William Eklund, who’s on injured reserve with seven goals and 20 assists this season. The Sharks called up 22-year-old Collin Graf from the AHL, but he hasn’t cracked the lineup yet.

What to Watch For

Lightning Game Plan

• Guentzel’s Availability: If he can’t play, the Lightning will need Atkinson and the rest of the top line to step up.
• Fast Starts: Tampa Bay dominated San Jose last time by coming out swinging. Expect them to aim for another strong first period.

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Sharks’ Priorities

• End the Streak: San Jose has to play like their season is on the line.
• Better Defense: If they let Tampa Bay run wild again, it’ll be another long night for the Shark.

Final Thoughts

The Lightning are the clear favorites here. They’re deeper, stronger, and have the kind of firepower the Sharks just can’t match right now. But hockey can be unpredictable, and if the Sharks dig deep and ride Celebrini’s hot streak, they might surprise everyone.

Either way, Thursday’s game will be a litmus test for both teams: the Lightning as they gear up for the playoffs and the Sharks as they try to salvage something from a tough season.