In this article we will formulate a Canadiens vs Sharks prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, March 14th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 36-18-10 this year after they defeated the Senators by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Montreal trailed 2-1 after the first period, but they scored once in the second and once in the third to get the win. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 34-23, won 49.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Demidov, Slafkovsky, and Texier, while Fowler stopped 32 out of 34 shots, which was a .941 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Montreal defeated the Maple Leafs by a score of 3-1 and the Kings by a score of 4-3. The Canadiens have won three games in a row and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 82 points. Montreal has scored 3.53 goals per game and they have allowed 3.23 goals against per game, while also going 25.1% on the power play and 76.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 21 goals and 54 assists, while Lane Hutson has added 11 goals and 55 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jakub Dobes, who is 21-6-4 with a 2.97 goals against average and an .892 save percentage this year.
San Jose Sharks Betting Preview
The San Jose Sharks are 31-26-6 this season after they defeated the Bruins by a score of 4-2 in their last game. San Jose scored the first four goals in the game, but did allow two goals in the third to lose the shutout. The Sharks were out shot by a total of 41-28, won 40.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. San Jose got goals from Eklund, Graf, Misa, and Toffoli, while Nedeljkovic stopped 39 out of 41 shots, which was a .951 save percentage.
Prior to that game, San Jose lost to the Sabres by a score of 6-3 and the Islanders by a score of 2-1. The Sharks have lost three of their last four games and they are currently fifth in the Pacific standings with 68 points. San Jose has scored 3.08 goals per game and they have allowed 3.48 goals against per game, while also going 20.3% on the power play and 79.3% on the penalty kill this season. Macklin Celebrini has led SJ with 33 goals and 58 assists, while Will Smith has added 19 goals and 26 assists. The projected starting goalie for San Jose is Alex Nedeljkovic, who is 12-9-3 with a 2.80 goals against average and a .902 save percentage this year.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won eight of their last nine home games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Sharks have lost 13 of their last 15 night games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Sharks have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five road games.
- The Sharks have lost the third period in seven of their last eight road games following a road win.
Why the San Jose Sharks will win
- The Sharks have won six of their last seven games as road underdogs against the Canadiens.
- The Canadiens have lost three of their last four games as a favorite when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Sharks have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as underdogs against the Canadiens.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in 17 of their last 20 games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Sharks have won the second period in each of their last six games against the Canadiens when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Six of the Sharks’ last seven games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Canadiens’ last five games against Pacific Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Canadiens’ last nine games as favorites.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Sharks’ last nine games following a road win.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored the last goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four games as home favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- Jake Evans has scored a goal in four of the Canadiens’ last five home games.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last nine games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- Cole Caufield ranks 2nd in the league for multi-goal games (10) this season.
San Jose Sharks Player Prop Facts
- Macklin Celebrini has scored a goal in four of the Sharks’ last five games.
- Alexander Wennberg has recorded an assist in each of the Sharks’ last four road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Kiefer Sherwood is the only player in the league to have recorded 5+ hits in seven or more consecutive appearances this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 2nd in the league for goals per game this season (3.53).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank T4th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.14%).
- The San Jose Sharks rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.48).
- The San Jose Sharks have recorded the largest comeback win this season – trailed by four goals vs Penguins on December, 13.
Canadiens vs Sharks Prediction
Montreal comes into this matchup on a three game winning streak and they have allowed two goals or fewer in two straight games. The Canadiens are 18-11-2 at home this year, while the Sharks are 14-16-1 on the road. San Jose has lost three of their last four games, but two of those did come in overtime. Montreal is starting to get hot and Dobes has been very good in net, so I like the Canadiens -1.5 here.