The Montreal Canadiens have started their stretch run on a strong note, picking up back-to-back multi-goal victories against teams ahead of them in the standings.
They have a great opportunity to build on their recent success against the NHL’s last placed team, and my Sharks vs. Canadiens predictions see that coming to fruition, with Lane Hutson playing a pivotal role along the way.
Let’s dive deeper with my NHL picks for February 27.
Canadiens vs Sharks prediction
My Canadiens pick
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 points (-140 at BET99)
My Canadiens analysis
The San Jose Sharks have a bright future ahead of them but the present is bleak.
They rank dead last in wins, regulation wins, points, goal differential, and goals against. They’re a team to target almost every night — especially with goalie of the future Yaroslav Askarov back in the minors.
My favorite way to attack the Sharks is with Lane Hutson. The dynamic rookie defenseman appears to be heating up, having recorded points in back-to-back games and four of his last six.
Hutson has already produced three point streaks of at least five games and two spanning seven or more. When he gets hot, he really gets hot.
The Sharks are a great matchup in every sense. They play extremely up-tempo hockey at 5-on-5, ranking third in pace and dead last in shots and goals against on the season.
They haven’t fared much better on the penalty kill, sitting 27th in shot suppression and 29th in expected goals allowed.
Put another way, the Sharks ask a lot of their goaltenders every night. That’s a recipe for disaster considering Vitek Vanecek and Alexandar Georgiev rank Bottom 10 in Goals Saved Above Expected per start.
No matter who is between the pipes, the Sharks are likelier to allow a leaky goal than get a big save. That increases the floor and ceiling of opposing offenses every single night.
Hutson plays more than anybody at 5-on-5 — and is an excellent power play quarterback — so he’s the prime beneficiary of this mouthwatering matchup.
Not to mention, the Sharks have allowed 152 points to defensemen this season. That is the most of any team vs. that position group.
Hutson found the score sheet when these two teams played earlier this month. Expect him to do so once again on home soil.
Canadiens vs Sharks same-game parlay (SGP)
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 points
Fabian Zetterlund Over 1.5 shots
Cole Caufield Over 0.5
Fabian Zetterlund is an efficient shooter. He averages better than 14 shot attempts per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play, which is more than notable goal scoring wingers like Zach Hyman, Jonathan Marchessault, and Rickard Rakell.
He is especially efficient when skating with Will Smith — averaging more than 18 attempts per 60 — and the two are expected to play together tonight.
Zetterlund has recorded multiple shots in eight of his past 10, including against the Canadiens. They have allowed the third most shots to wingers over that same period, so they’re unlikely to be the team that can slow him down.
Cole Caufield has points in nearly 70% of Montreal’s games this season and 81% of their victories, which is noteworthy as the Canadiens are big favorites.
Caufield often has Hutson behind him during 5-on-5 play and they correlate on the top power play.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Canadiens vs Sharks odds
Canadiens vs Sharks live odds
Canadiens vs Sharks opening odds
- Puck line: Montreal -207 | San Jose +180
- Moneyline: Montreal -1.5 (+121) | San Jose +1.5 (-139)
- Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Odds courtesy of BET99
Canadiens vs Sharks trend
Cole Caufield has registered a point in three straight games against San Jose. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Sharks.
How to watch Canadiens vs Sharks
| Location | Centre Bell, Montreal, QC |
| Date | Thursday, 2-27-2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN2, RDS |
Canadiens vs Sharks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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