NHL Preview: San Jose Sharks (15-36-8) vs. Montreal Canadiens (27-26-5)

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The upcoming NHL game between the San Jose Sharks and the Montreal Canadiens is set to be an intriguing matchup. The game will take place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

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Team Standings and Recent Performance

  • Montreal Canadiens: The Canadiens currently hold a 27-26-5 record, placing them in the hunt for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They have been performing well at home with a 14-12-3 record. The Canadiens are on a two-game winning streak, including a recent 4-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.
  • San Jose Sharks: The Sharks have a 15-36-8 record and are in the early stages of a rebuild. They have struggled on the road with a 6-18-6 record. The Sharks are on a six-game losing streak, with their most recent defeat being a 2-1 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Key Players to Watch

  • Montreal Canadiens:
    • Nick Suzuki: Leading the team with 57 points.
    • Cole Caufield: Contributing 51 points.
    • Lane Hutson: Adding 43 points.
    • Juraj Slafkovsky: Providing 32 points.
    • Sam Montembeault: Expected to start in goal, with a season record of 20-21-3 and a 2.90 GAA.
  • San Jose Sharks:
    • Macklin Celebrini: Leading the team with 42 points.
    • William Eklund: Also with 42 points.
    • Tyler Toffoli: Contributing 38 points.
    • Fabian Zetterlund: Adding 33 points.
    • Alexandar Georgiev: Expected to start in goal, with a season record of 2-12, a 3.94 GAA, and a .879 SV%.

Injury Updates

  • Montreal Canadiens: No significant injuries reported for the upcoming game.
  • San Jose Sharks: Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is expected to play in his second consecutive game after missing the first 40 games of the season due to injury and conditioning reasons.

Game Analysis

Both teams are in different stages of their respective seasons. The Canadiens are battling for a playoff spot and have been performing well at home. The Sharks, on the other hand, are in a rebuilding phase and have struggled on the road. The Canadiens have a slight edge with their home record and the recent performance of key players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. The Sharks will need strong performances from Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund, as well as solid goaltending from Alexandar Georgiev, to overcome their recent struggles.

San Jose Sharks                                6.5

Montreal Canadiens                       – 218

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 26, 2025