Erik Karlsson, Logan Couture, and the San Jose Sharks will face off against Max Domi, Brendan Gallagher, and the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre in an East-West tilt. The Sports Network will air the game, and the action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 24.
San Jose Sharks at Montreal Canadiens Odds
The Canadiens (-125) are currently the favorite over the Sharks (+105) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 7 goals (-105 over, -115 under).
Montreal is 4-5 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 44-38 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Of the team’s nine games this season, six have gone over the total, while two have gone under and just one has pushed. So far this year, the team’s 2-2 SU at home.
The Habs have successfully converted on 27.3 percent of their power play opportunities in 2019-20. That’s a noticeable improvement from last season, when they were ranked 30th in the league by scoring on 13.3 percent of their extra-man opportunities. Their penalty kill has fallen off significantly year-over-year as they’ve gone from successfully defending 80.9 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 11th overall last season) to 71.0 percent this year.
With a .912 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Carey Price (4-3-1) has been the principal goalkeeper for the Habs this season. If Montreal chooses to give him a rest, however, the team may turn to the winless Keith Kinkaid (0-2-2 record, .875 save percentage, 4.53 goals against average).
On the other bench, San Jose is 3-6 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Five of its outings have gone over the total, while four have gone under the total and none have pushed. As a road team, the Sharks are 1-4 SU so far.
The Sharks have scored on 21.9 percent of their power play chances this year after converting on 22.5 percent of their extra-man opportunities last season (when the team ranked sixth league-wide in that category). The team’s gone from successfully defending 80.5 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 14th overall last season) to 90.6 percent this year.
Martin Jones (.894 save percentage and 3.46 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 27.7 saves per game and owns a 2-5-1 record.
San Jose Sharks vs. Montreal Canadiens Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- After winning all three of their shootouts last season, the Canadiens are off to a 1-1 start in shootouts this year. The Sharks were 0-3 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five games.
- San Jose skaters notched 21.5 hits per game last season, while the Canadiens logged 26.9 hits per matchup.
