| MATCHUP | Minnesota Wild | Montreal Canadiens |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 28-13-9 | 27-15-7 |
| Spread | +1.5 -198 | -1.5 164 |
| Moneyline | +120 | -142 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (100) | Under 6.5 (-120) |
| Where | Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | |
| When | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, January 20th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 28-13-9 this season after they defeated Toronto by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Minnesota had their lead cut to 2-1 in the first period, but they scored the next three goals and cruised to the win. The Wild out shot Toronto by a total of 38-30, won 46.3% of the face-offs, and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Foligno (3), Hartman, and Tarasenko (2), while Gustavsson stopped 27 out of 30 shots, which was a .900 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Sabres by a score of 5-4, but lost to the Jets by a score of 6-2 before that. The Wild have won two games in a row and they are currently second in the Central standings with 65 points. Minnesota has scored 3.10 goals per game and they have allowed 2.80 goals against per game, while also going 22.4% on the power play and 76.7% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 25 goals and 30 assists, while Brock Faber has added 10 goals and 18 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Jesper Wallstedt, who is 12-4-4 with a 2.64 goals against average and a .916 save percentage this season.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 27-15-7 this year after they defeated Ottawa in overtime by a score of 6-5 in their last game. Montreal trailed 5-3 in the third period, but they scored two late goals and won in overtime. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 34-19, won 53.3% of the face-offs, and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Anderson, Caufield (2), Slafkovsky (2), Carrier, while Montembeault stopped 29 out of 34 shots, which was an .853 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Montreal lost to the Sabres by a score of 5-3 and the Capitals by a score of 3-2. The Canadiens have lost two of their last three games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 61 points. Montreal has scored 3.39 goals per game and they have allowed 3.27 goals against per game, while also going 23.9% on the power play and 78.1% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 15 goals and 39 assists, while Lane Hutson has added eight goals and 42 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Sam Montembeault, who is 9-6-2 with a 3.44 goals against average and an .873 save percentage this year.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won seven of their last eight games at Bell Centre following a road win.
- The Wild have lost three of their last four road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in five of their last six home games.
- The Wild have lost the second period in five of their last six games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents when tied after the first period.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Wild have won 18 of their last 19 games against the Canadiens.
- The Canadiens have lost four of their last five games as a favorite when playing with a rest advantage.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Wild’s last eight games.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites after coming off overtime.
- The Canadiens have lost the second period in each of their last four home games against Western Conference opponents when leading after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Nine of the Wild’s last 10 road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the last seven night games between the Wild and Canadiens at Bell Centre have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 15 games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last three games.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Oliver Kapanen has scored a goal in three of the Canadiens’ last four home games.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in five of the Canadiens’ last six home games.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Ryan Hartman has scored a goal in each of the Wild’s last four road games.
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven road appearances against the Canadiens.
Wild vs Canadiens Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup on a two game winning streak, but they will be on a back to back here. The Wild are 15-7-3 on the road this year, while the Canadiens are 13-10-1 at home. Montreal is 2-1-1 in their last four games, but they have allowed 10 goals in their last two. The Canadiens have been inconsistent over the last two weeks, but they have gone over 6.5 goals in three of their last four. The Wild have gone over 6.5 goals in five straight and they have allowed 4+ goals in four of their last five. Take the over here.