The San Jose Sharks are continuing their homestand tonight, as they'll host the Montreal Canadiens for the two teams' first meeting this season.
Both teams are currently in the middle of a playoff battle, as the Canadiens currently hold the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Sharks are the first team out of a playoff spot, trailing the Edmonton Oilers by four points. Importantly though, the Sharks do have three games in hand over Connor McDavid and company. As a result, tonight's matchup is important for both teams despite it being a cross-conference affair.
Noah Dobson, who the Canadiens added over the summer, has been on fire offensively as of late, recording seven points in his last five games. As usual, Cole Caufield is also a dangerous presence on the ice. The 25-year-old forward has averaged a goal-per-game over his last five outings.
As for the Sharks, Macklin Celebrini has four points and two goals in his last five appearances, leading the team in both areas.
The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports California in the Bay Area, while those north of the border can tune in on TSN2 or RDS.
Sharks Projected Lines (Per Max Miller)
Smith - Celebrini - Graf
Eklund - Misa - Toffoli
Kurashev - Wennberg - Sherwood
Goodrow - Ostapchuk - Gaudette
Orlov - Klingberg
Ferraro - Mukhamadullin
Dickinson - Desharnais
Askarov
Canadiens Projected Lines (Per Patrick Friolet)
Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slafkovsky - Kapanen - Demidov
Anderson - Danault - Gallagher
Newhook - Evans - Bolduc
Hutson - Dobson
Matheson - Guhle
Struble - Carrier
Dobes