Canadiens @ Sharks: Game thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch

Montreal Canadiens @ San Jose Sharks

How to watch

Start time: 10:30 PM EST / 7:30 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: TSN2, TSN Direct (English), RDS, RDS Direct (French)
In the Sharks region: NBCSCA
Elsewhere: NHL.tv / Rogers NHL Live

Indications at yesterday’s practice were that Jesperi Kotkaniemi would be sitting out for a second consecutive game when the Canadiens headed up to San Jose. That would most likely mean no changes among the skaters reponsible for Tuesday’s win, and therefore another shot for Jordan Weal to show his strengths as a third-line player.

Antti Niemi was also a focal point at Wednesday’s practice, and today we learned that he would be the one to play the most difficult of the three games on the California road trip. Carey Price will be called upon to further increase the odds of victory against the 27th-ranked Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

If Niemi loses, he will just be one of many Habs goalies to suffer such a result in San Jose in the past 20 years. If he wins, it’s a big confidence boost for not only the team trying to keep pace in the playoff chase, but also for a goaltender who has been struggling during this important stretch.

Niemi will very likely be peppered by a team ranking right near the top of the league in shots per game, at just under 34. If he has a season-average peformance near his .889 mark, that’s going to be four goals the Canadiens are forced to make up, so Montreal will hope the occasion inspires their backup netminder to a quality outing this evening.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

San Jose Sharks projected lineup