Montreal Canadiens (22-13-6) vs. Dallas Stars (25-9-7)
January 4, 2026 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Dallas Stars -205 / Montreal Canadiens +170; Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Montreal Canadiens and the Dallas Stars meet Sunday in NHL action from the American Airlines Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Montreal Canadiens vs. Dallas Stars prediction.
Montreal Canadiens Recap
The Montreal Canadiens come into this game looking to rebound from a 2-0 loss at the hands of St. Louis last time out to sit at 22-13-6 this season. After this game, Montreal will head home for a game against the Calgary Flames.
Canadiens Have Two-Game Win Streak Snapped
Nick Suzuki leads Montreal with 45 points including 14 goals and a team-high 31 assists while Cole Caufield has 40 points with a team-high 20 goals. Lane Hutson has 40 points with 34 assists while Ivan Demidov has 35 points with 10 goals and 25 assists. Noah Dobson has 27 points with 20 assists and Mike Matheson has 18 points with 4 goals and 14 assists. Oliver Kapanen has 21 points with 12 goals and 9 assists while Zack Bolduc has 17 points with 10 goals and 7 assists. Sam Montembault has gone 6-6-1 with a 3.53 GAA and an .863 save percentage in goal for the Canadiens while Jakub Dobes is 13-5-3 with a 3.01 GAA and an .889 save percentage. Jacob Fowler is also 3-2-2 with a 2.57 GAA and an .903 save percentage for the Habs this season.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Stars have lost each of their last four games as favorites.
- The Canadiens have won each of their last four games as road underdogs following a road loss.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games as underdogs.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six home games following a road loss.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four games as underdogs.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Canadiens’ last 10 games as underdogs against the Stars.
- Cole Caufield ranks T2nd in the league for Game Winning Goals (5) this season.
Dallas Stars Recap
The Dallas Stars come into this game looking to shake off a 4-3 loss at the hands of Chicago last time out to sit at 25-9-7 this season. After this game, Dallas will head on the road for a game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Stars Lose 4 In A Row
Mikko Rantanen leads the Stars in scoring with 56 points along with 14 goals and a team-high 40 assists while Jason Robertson has 48 points with a team-high 24 goals and 24 assists this season. Wyatt Johnston has 46 points with 20 goals and 26 assists and Miro Heiskanen has 35 points with 28 assists as well this season. Roope Hintz has 31 points with 12 goals and 19 assists. Jake Oettinger has gone 16-7-3 with a 2.57 GAA and a .907 save percentage in goal for Dallas while Casey DeSmith has gone 9-2-4 with a 2.44 GAA and a .912 save percentage so far this season.
Why the Dallas Stars will win
- The Stars have won each of their last 14 Sunday home games.
- The Canadiens have lost 10 of their last 11 day games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 day games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Stars have covered the puck line in five of their last six day games following a road loss.
Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts
- Mavrik Bourque has scored a goal in four of the Stars’ last five games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Stars’ last eight games.
- Mikko Rantanen ranks T1st in the league for multi-assist games (12) this season.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Canadiens’ last 10 Sunday games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Stars’ last five day games have gone OVER the total goals line.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Dallas Stars Prediction
I’m on the Stars here. I just think the back-to-back spot is more favorable for a Dallas Stars team that’s the better team in this game in my eyes. Furthermore, I think the Stars take care of business here against a Canadiens team that also has to worry about travelling for this game. Give me Dallas.
