In this article, we will formulate a Stars vs Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 16th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Dallas Stars Betting Preview
The Dallas Stars are 28-14-1 this season after they defeated Toronto by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Dallas trailed 1-0 in the first period, but they scored the last four goals in the game for the win. The Stars were outshot by a total of 28-23, won 49% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Bourque, Duchene, and Stankoven (2), while Oettinger stopped 27 out of 28 shots in the game.
Prior to that victory, the Stars lost to the Senators by a score of 3-2 but did beat the Canadiens by a score of 2-1 before that. Dallas has won eight of their last nine games and they are currently third in the Central standings with 57 points. Dallas has scored 3.21 goals per game and they have allowed 2.44 goals against per game, while also going 17.9% on the power play and 85.2% on the penalty kill this season. Matt Duchene has led Dallas with 17 goals, 24 assists, and 77 shots on goal, while Jason Robertson has added 11 goals, 25 assists, and 108 shots on goal this year. Jake Oettinger is 22-9-1 with a 2.31 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this season.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 21-18-4 this year after they defeated Utah by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Montreal trailed 2-1 in the first period and was tied at three in the third, but they scored the last two goals in the game for the win. The Canadiens outshot Utah by a total of 26-25, won 50.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Caufield, Dach (2), Laine, and Matheson, while Montembeault stopped 22 out of 25 shots in the win.
Prior to that game, the Canadiens lost to Dallas by a score of 2-1 but did beat Washington by a score of 3-2 before that. Montreal has won seven of their last nine games and they are currently sixth in the Atlantic standings with 46 points. Montreal has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 3.28 goals against per game, while also going 21.4% on the power play and 82% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 13 goals, 30 assists, and 87 shots on goal, while Cole Caufield has added 24 goals, 18 assists, and 128 shots on goal. Sam Montembeault is 16-15-3 with a 2.88 goals against average and a .900 save percentage this season.
Why the Canadiens will beat the Stars
- The Canadiens have won each of their last six games as road underdogs.
- The Stars have lost two of their last three games as home favorites following a road win.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last 13 games.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last eight night games following a road win.
- The Canadiens have won the third period in five of their last six games as road underdogs.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Stars’ last four games has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Canadiens’ last four games against the Stars following a road win has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 10 Thursday games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 18 of the Stars’ last 20 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts
- Evgenii Dadonov has recorded at least one assist in four of his last five appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Canadiens.
- Roope Hintz has scored at least one goal in three of the Stars’ last four home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Jason Robertson has recorded at least one point in 10 of the Stars’ last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents at American Airlines Center.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has recorded at least one point in 12 of the Canadiens’ last 13 road games.
- Cole Caufield has scored a goal in each of the Canadiens’ last five road games.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Canadiens’ last nine games against the Stars.
Stars vs Canadiens Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup playing very well over the last few weeks, but Dallas has been the better team for most of the season and they will be at home for this game. The Stars are 16-5-1 at home this year, while the Canadiens are 10-11-1 on the road. Montreal has really turned their season around in recent weeks, but they have gone to overtime in four of their last five games. Dallas has the better numbers in most of the metrics so far this year, but there is just something about this Montreal team that I really like right now. Take the Canadiens with the plus money here.