San Jose Sharks vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions for Tuesday October 20 2026
San Jose has been finding ways to let points slip away, and now the Sharks get a trip to Montreal. The Canadiens aren’t exactly shutting everybody down, either. Both clubs have been allowing plenty of goals, and this has the makings of one of those games where a two-goal lead doesn’t feel safe.
The Sharks visit the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday, October 20, with puck drop at 7:00 PM ET. Montreal is around -146 on one reference board, with San Jose at +124. The total has been offered at both 6 and 6.5, depending on the market. Check out our free NHL picks for more predictions.
San Jose Has To Finish Games
The Sharks are 4-3-1. They’ve been competitive, but the record could look better if they’d held on in a couple of tight games. San Jose has already let late leads disappear, and those are the losses that drive a coach crazy. The Sharks can create chances and get on the scoreboard. Keeping the other team from doing the same thing has been another story.
San Jose is allowing 3.50 goals per game. The team save percentage is around .873, which explains some of the trouble. That’s too many pucks getting past the goaltenders. The Sharks have also been inconsistent in their own end, giving opponents room to get second chances. The offense can cover up some of that, but asking for four goals every night isn’t much of a plan.
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The Sharks’ leading offensive contributor has six points through the early schedule, including three goals. There’s enough young talent here to make Montreal work. The trouble is at the other end. One goaltending option has a goals-against average near 4.00 and a save percentage below .850. San Jose needs cleaner defensive play, regardless of who’s starting in net.
Montreal Has Its Own Problems In Net
Montreal is also 4-3-1. The Canadiens have had some good nights, but they’ve been far from consistent. They’re coming into this game after a loss to Washington, and the defense has given up too many good looks. The most recent game for the Canadiens was an overtime thrilling win over Buffalo. The Bell Centre crowd will be behind them, but that doesn’t solve the problem of letting opponents get clean shots.
The Canadiens are allowing 3.75 goals per game, with a team save percentage around .855. That’s worse than San Jose’s numbers. Montreal has been able to generate offense, but the goaltending hasn’t held up well enough. When a team is giving up nearly four goals a night, it puts a lot of pressure on the forwards to keep scoring.
The Canadiens have gotten early production from their top offensive group, including a three-goal scorer and a four-assist contributor. The better of their goaltending options has a goals-against average near 2.16, but the overall team numbers remain poor. Montreal needs to know who’s starting Tuesday. If the better-performing goalie gets the call, that makes the Canadiens a more attractive bet.
San Jose Sharks vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions
Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (-146)
I’ll take Montreal at -146, but I’m not thrilled about the price. The Canadiens have been giving up 3.75 goals a game, so this isn’t some safe home favorite. San Jose can score, and the Sharks have been good enough to hang around against decent teams. But Montreal has home ice, and its stronger goaltending option gives the Canadiens a way to settle things down. I’d check the starter before laying the money. With the right goalie, Montreal is my pick.
Over 6 Goals
I’m taking over six if that number is still available. San Jose is allowing 3.50 goals a game. Montreal is giving up 3.75. Neither team’s overall save percentage looks good. That’s plenty of reason to expect scoring chances. A push at six gives us a little protection, too. If the market moves to 6.5, I’d be less excited, but I’d still lean over. Both defenses have given opponents too much room so far.
Final Picks: Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (-146) and Over 6 Goals
This preview was completed October 19, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, starting goaltenders, and records may change before puck drop.
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