San Jose Sharks vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canadiens are coming off a decisive 4-0 win over Carolina on Tuesday that extends their current win streak to two games and leaves them trailing Columbus by just five points in the hunt for the second wild card. The Sharks limp into Montreal riding a six-game losing streak after dropping a 2-1 decision to Winnipeg on Monday night, and have now lost seven straight on the road and 12 of 13 overall.
The Canadiens look to Thursday’s action enjoying their strongest NHL odds of the season, perched as -210 favourites and are a short +120 bet on the NHL puckline. The Sharks lag as +170 underdogs and the total is pegged at 6.0.
Sharks vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds
The Canadiens skated to a 4-3 win in San Jose on February 4 in the first of their two meetings with the Sharks this season and have now earned the win in four of six head-to-head dates. However, the Habs have struggled when facing the Sharks on home ice, losing eight straight since 2015 and have scored just 11 total goals in their past 10 versus San Jose at Bell Centre. Now faced with the daunting task of playing 10 of 14 on the road during the month of March, flipping the script on that run of futility is now crucial to the Canadiens’ playoff hopes. However, the Habs have struggled to produce at home since the calendar flipped to 2025, losing five of their past six including recent shutout losses to New Jersey and Minnesota. After providing their fans with a glimmer of hope in the early going this season, the Sharks have reverted to expected form, tumbling into the basement of the NHL standings while going 5-23-3 in 31 games since December 3 and posting just two wins in 15 road games. The Sharks have averaged just two goals per game during their current six-game swoon but have managed to keep things close while limiting opponents to three or fewer goals in four of their past seven.
San Jose Sharks
Apart from some recent valiant goaltending performances, the Sharks have provided their fans with little to cheer about. Vitek Vanecek did his part in Monday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Jets, turning aside 33 shots, and was also steady in the team’s 2-1 overtime loss to Vancouver on February 6. However, injuries have not helped this team overcome their scoring woes. Among the walking wounded are defenceman Timothy Liljegren, who is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. Rookie forward Nikolai Kovalenko remains on the shelf with an upper body injury while veteran Logan Couture remains out with a groin injury. However, prized rookie Macklin Celebrini continues to impress, racking up 10 points in his past 10 games and has gotten in on seven of the team’s past 14 goals.
Montreal Canadiens
After averaging just two goals per game during a preceding 1-7-1 swoon, the Habs have rediscovered their scoring touch, outgunning opponents by a combined 9-2 margin during their current 2-0-0 run. After enduring an eight-game points drought that coincided with the club’s recent slide, Patrik Laine has returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off on a tear, picking up four points in two games including a one-goal, two-assist performance in Tuesday’s win over the Hurricanes. Nick Suzuki has also overcome his recent scoring struggles with a goal and four assists in the Canadiens’ two recent wins. Goaltender Sam Montembeault has also benefitted from the recent break, turning aside 45 of 47 shots while backstopping the Habs to their past two victories. However, things have not gone so well for beleaguered forward Kirby Dach, who has failed to produce a point in seven home appearances and could miss a second straight game with an unspecified injury.
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