Montreal Canadiens vs. San Jose Sharks Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Montreal Canadiens face the San Jose Sharks with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Canadiens have an 8-9-2 record and with only three wins in their last 10 games, they have the second-worst record in the Atlantic Division. The Sharks have a 3-15-1 record and with back-to-back losses, they have the worst record in the Western Conference. Both teams look to rebound on rough seasons and the upcoming game looks to be a good one.
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Canadiens defense has let them down
The Canadiens are having a rough season with their offense struggling, scoring only 2.89 goals per game. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Sean Monahan have scored 17 goals and 28 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only six skaters have five goals or more and only five skaters have six assists or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let them down, allowing 3.53 goals per game. Kaiden Guhle and Johnathan Kovacevic have combined for 1.8 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to carry the puck into the offensive zone and easily find open shots on the net. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Jake Allen who has a .907 save percentage and a 3.54 goals-against average on 280 shots with 1.4 goals saved above average.
Sharks have been a mess on both ends of the ice
The Sharks are having an awful season with their offense letting them down, scoring only 1.47 goals per game with only two goals in the last two games. Tomas Hertl and Fabian Zetterlund have combined for eight goals and 11 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only four skaters have four goals or more and opposing defenses can eliminate the hapless offense with ease.
The offense has been awful but the defense has been a mess as well, allowing 4.32 goals per game including 10 goals in the last two games. Nikita Okhotyuk and Jan Rutta have combined for 1.0 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has struggled with a .896 save percentage and a 3.97 goals-against average on 461 shots with -3.0 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Sharks have been awful and I see the Canadiens stepping up and controlling this game. The Canadiens should pile on the goals against the Sharks, who allow 4.32 goals per game, with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Canadiens should limit the Sharks offense, which has scored only two goals in the last two games, with Kaiden Guhle, Johnathan Kovacevic, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jake Allen to make plenty of big saves. The Canadiens should win the game with a strong performance on the road.
Take the Canadiens money line as road Favorites.
Prediction: Canadiens (-145)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both defenses have been awful and I see this game being a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Sharks should create plenty of scoring chances against the Canadiens, who allow 3.53 goals per game, with Tomas Hertl, Fabian Zetterlund, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Canadiens should run up the score against the Sharks, who have allowed 10 goals in their last two games, with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Sean Monahan, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement to overwhelm the Sharks defense. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 6.5
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