Stars vs Canadiens Prediction
I’m backing the under here. Montreal’s defensive form and goaltending has returned, but it’s worth noting it’s come against some of the weaker opponents in the NHL. On the flipside, you have a Dallas Stars team that’s been an under machine for much of the year despite back-to-back overs cashing and I think that we get a low-scoring game here so give me the under.
Montreal Canadiens Recap
The Montreal Canadiens come into this game looking to add on to their 2-0 win over the St. Louis Blues last time out to sit at 7-3-2 this season. After this game, the Canadiens will head back home for a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Canadiens Win 3 In A Row
Nick Suzuki anchors the Montreal Canadiens through twelve games of the 2026-27 regular season, sitting at the top of the team scoring leaderboard with 12 points after netting 5 goals and dishing out 7 assists. Lane Hutson holds down the defensive backend while matching the offensive output with 10 points through 3 goals and 7 helpers, mirroring Cole Caufield who contributes 10 points built on a team-leading 6 goals and 4 assists. Juraj Slafkovsky provides steady forward depth with 8 points via 2 goals and 6 assists, followed closely by Zack Bolduc with 7 points highlighted by 5 goals. Josh Anderson chips in 6 points on 4 goals and 2 assists, while Alexandre Carrier anchors the blue line with 5 points. Chris Kreider, Mike Matheson, Alexandre Texier, Alex Newhook, and Kaiden Guhle round out the intermediate contributors with 4 points apiece, while Phillip Danault, Kirby Dach, and Jake Evans complete the core stats sheet with 3 points each.
Between the pipes, Jacob Fowler delivers a brilliant campaign across 7 appearances, carrying a 6-1-0 record alongside a sparkling 1.54 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage after turning aside 180 of 191 total shots. Jakub Dobes provides relief work through 5 games, registering a 1-2-2 mark with a 4.47 goals-against average and an .847 save percentage by stopping 122 of 144 shots faced to solidify Montreal’s goalie room.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won each of their last seven Thursday games as underdogs.
- The Stars have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a loss.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last 12 Thursday games as underdogs.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have won the second period in each of their last seven road games against Central Division opponents.
Dallas Stars Recap
The Dallas Stars come into this game looking to rebound from their 5-1 loss at the hands of New Jersey last time out to sit at 7-4-1 this season. After this game, the Stars will head home for a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Stars Have Five-Game Win Streak Snapped
Mikko Rantanen drives the Dallas Stars through twelve games of the 2026-27 regular season, holding the top spot on the team scoring leaderboard with 14 points after scoring 6 goals and collecting 8 assists. Jason Robertson sits right behind him in second place with 13 points, matching Rantanen’s playmaking total with a team-leading 8 assists alongside 5 goals. Roope Hintz provides key offense with 10 points through 5 goals and 5 helpers. Wyatt Johnston and Miro Heiskanen anchor the next tier with 8 points apiece, with Johnston recording 2 goals and 6 assists while Heiskanen delivers 3 goals and 5 assists from the blue line. Tyler Seguin chips in 6 points on 3 goals and 3 assists, while Thomas Harley contributes 5 points entirely off 5 assists. Jamie Benn, Arttu Hyry, Sam Steel, and Nils Lundkvist round out the middle group with 3 points each, while Justin Hryckowian and Joel Kiviranta add 2 points apiece to fill out the offense.
Between the pipes, Jake Oettinger stands strong across 9 appearances, compiling a 6-2-1 record, a 1.43 goals-against average, and a .929 save percentage after stopping 171 of 184 shots. Casey DeSmith provides support in net through 3 games, posting a 1-2-0 mark with a 2.94 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage after turning aside 71 of 80 shots faced for Dallas.
Why the Dallas Stars will win
- The Stars have won each of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last six games as underdogs.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in 11 of their last 14 games.
- The Stars have won the second period in eight of their last nine games against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the first period.