| MATCHUP | Montreal Canadiens | Dallas Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 23-13-6 | 25-9-8 |
| Where | American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX | |
| When | Sunday, January 4, 2026 | |
| Time | 02:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Hurricanes, lost to the Blues, and they play the Flames next. The Canadiens have won 5 of their last 8 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3.29 goals per game and are scoring on 23.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 20 goals, Lane Hutson has 34 assists and Nick Suzuki has 89 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.27 goals per game and are killing 77.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jakub Dobes has given up 60 goals on 542 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 51 goals on 373 shots.
Dallas Stars Betting Preview
The Dallas Stars lost to the Sabres and Blackhawks, and they play the Hurricanes next. The Stars have lost 4 straight games.
The Dallas Stars are averaging 3.41 goals per game and are scoring on 29.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Jason Robertson leads Dallas with 24 goals, Mikko Rantanen has 40 assists and Wyatt Johnston has 100 shots on goal. Defensively, the Dallas Stars are allowing 2.68 goals per game and are killing 82.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jake Oettinger has allowed 67 goals on 719 shots faced, while Casey DeSmith has given up 37 goals on 420 shots.
Why the Dallas Stars will win
- The Stars have won each of their last 14 Sunday games at American Airlines Center.
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last five day games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five 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 at American Airlines Center following a road loss.
- The Canadiens have lost the second period in five of their last six day games against Central Division opponents.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Stars have lost each of their last four games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have won six of their last seven games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games as road underdogs.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games at American Airlines Center following a road loss.
- The Stars have lost the third period in three of their last four games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Thirteen of the Canadiens’ last 14 Sunday games as underdogs have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Stars’ last three day games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Stars’ last 10 day games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Canadiens’ last nine games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts
- Jason Robertson has scored at least one goal in each of the Stars’ last five Sunday games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Stars’ last eight games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Wyatt Johnston ranks 1st in the league for Power Play Goals (14) this season.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Juraj Slafkovsky has scored at least one goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four games as underdogs.
- Lane Hutson has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Canadiens’ last eight games as underdogs.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded three hits against the Stars this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Dallas Stars are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
- The Dallas Stars are one of three teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 31st in the league for Period 2 goals allowed per game this season (1.27).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 30th in the league in save percentage this season (.884).
Montreal Canadiens vs Dallas Stars Prediction
The Stars are going to get the benefit of the doubt at home, but they’re having a rough week and the defense has fallen off a cliff. The Canadiens keep getting these insane prices, but they keep winning games, especially on the road, where they have 12 victories. This is the seventh straight road game for the Habs, so maybe there are tired legs, and we see a team that just wants to go home. However, the value is with the Canadiens and the big plus money, given their success this season and the Star’s current form. You can do worse than the Canadiens and a chance to make 1.5 times your money.