Posted at 4:15 PM EST odds are subject to change.

Pinnacle  -½ +211 BET365  -½ +190 SportsInteraction -½ +218 888Sport -1½ +200

Montreal -½ +218 over San Jose

10:38 PM EST. Regulation only. Of course we could play Montreal +135 with OT included but anytime we can get this price to beat the Sharks in regulation, we’re going to have a close look. Taking Montreal at +135 or thereabouts also comes with great value, as San Jose is not worthy of being priced in this range on its best day.

The Sharks are one of the worst teams in the NHL at keeping the puck out of their own net at 5-on-5. Their goaltending remains rancid. The Sharks have a team save percentage of .884, third-worst in the 32-team NHL. In terms of present form, San Jose has scored two goals or less in seven of its last eight games and they just traded their best goal scorer to New Jersey. The only time San Jose scored more than twice was last game when they buried three pucks in a 4-3 loss to Chicago. The Brantford 99ers could score three on Chicago. The mood of the team also comes into question. Said Erik Karlsson, “You trade a guy like Timo, I don’t think that shows that this is going to be a quick turnaround. It’s unfortunate, but I understand it. I’ve been around the game long enough to understand what needs to be done from an organizational perspective. “It just sucks that I happen to be where I’m at at this stage of my career.”

The Sharks are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. This is game five of seven and with Montreal coming in for a game, there is nothing to get this team excited about. Long homestands are not beneficial either, especially this late in the season with nothing to play for. Guys come to practice on their own and head home afterward. There is no hanging with the boys after games or practices like there is on the road. It’s not too bad for a week or so but the Sharks have had one road game since Feb 12 and now one of their leaders is gone and another one says, “It sucks”.

At least the Habs are putting forth a strong effort. Montreal is coming off a 5-2 loss to Ottawa but were clearly the better team. Prior, they beat Philadelphia 5-2 and New Jersey 5-2. Before losing to both Carolina and Toronto, the Habs won three in a row over Chicago, Edmonton and the Islanders. Montreal has won five of their last eight and deserved better v Ottawa. The Habs will also play the first game of a four-game trip and they’ll do so in much better form than the Sharkies.

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