This is the end of the back-to-back back-to-back back-to-back back-to-back nightmare for the San Jose Sharks.<\/p>\n
After this, what will that mean for their goaltending?<\/p>\n
Tuesday night at the Tampa Bay Lightning will be the end of four consecutive back-to-backs for the Sharks. San Jose, impressively, has won five of these last seven.<\/p>\n
Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic have alternated starts, Nedeljkovic winning four and Askarov one. Askarov should get the net at Amalie Arena tonight.<\/p>\n
This speaks to a recent trend between the pipes for the Sharks. Since Askarov\u2019s torrid November, when he posted an 8-2-0 record and a .944 Save %, rightly seizing the No. 1 job then, Nedeljkovic has outplayed him.<\/p>\n
Since Dec. 1, Askarov is 7-6-0 with an .866 Save %. Per Evolving Hockey, he has a -5.53 Goals Saved Above Expected. Nedeljkovic is 6-3-0 with an .895 Save % and a +3.47 GSAx.<\/p>\n
Nedeljkovic hasn\u2019t been dominant, but he\u2019s clearly been better, especially in January.<\/p>\n
After Tampa, the Sharks finish with six games before the Olympic break, no back-to-backs.<\/p>\n
Will the veteran Nedeljkovic get his chance to run with the ball?<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no doubt that 23-year-old Askarov is the future in the crease for the Sharks, but San Jose needs wins now.<\/p>\n
San Jose Sharks (25-20-3)<\/p>\n
Askarov should start.<\/p>\n
Head coach Ryan Warsofsky will announce the rest of the line-up at about 1:30 PM PT.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay Lightning (30-13-4)<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how the Lightning lined up in their last game, a 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Lightning lines https:\/\/t.co\/T6UjPiYrD5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 LinesLinesLines (@CcCMiddleton) January 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Where To Watch<\/p>\n Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning is at 4 PM PT at Benchmark International Arena. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t