Montreal Canadiens vs Dallas Stars Prediction, 1/4/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Dallas Stars

Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Location: American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX

TV: Victory+

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+102) Stars (-122)

The Dallas Stars (25-8-7) will play the Montreal Canadiens (21-12-6) at American Airlines Center on Sunday. The line on this contest has Montreal at +102 while Dallas is priced at -122. The over/under is set at 6.

The Montreal Canadiens were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 victory over the Panthers their last time on the ice. Montreal earned 8 penalty minutes in this game. The Canadiens had an average offensive performance in the victory. They also had 4 power play opportunities and were able to net 1 goal. For the outing, they scored on 3 out of the 29 shots they tried.

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Montreal Canadiens opponents have totaled 126 power play tries (8th in the league) and have a total of 28 goals in those attempts. The Canadiens have seen 1,062 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .880. Montreal has taken 1,004 shots and has a shot percentage of 12.8%. At even strength, the Canadiens have given up 99 goals while having 100 themselves. Montreal has compiled 112 power play chances and they have tallied 28 goals out of those advantages, giving them a rate of 25.00%. For the season, they have racked up 48 points and their points percentage sits at .615. When it comes to their scoring capabilities, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 128 goals (7th in the NHL) so far this season and have surrendered 127.

The man in goal for this game is Jacob Fowler. Opponents have racked up 16 goals versus Fowler in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.67. Fowler has played in 6 games over the course of his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .904 during his 15 minutes between the pipes. He has a mark of 3-1-2 and he has gotten the start in 6 games. For his professional hockey career, Fowler has tallied 3 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .500. Fowler has seen 167 shots against him and has recorded 151 total saves.

Their last time out, Dallas went up against the Sabres in a matchup where the Stars took the loss by a final score of 4-1. They had 2 power play chances in this contest but didn't score a goal. The Stars scored 1 goal of the 29 shots on goal they were seeking.

So far this year, the Dallas Stars have accounted for 137 goals, 57 points, as well as a points percentage of .713. They have allowed 106 goals to be scored by way of 85 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they were shorthanded. The Stars have earned 100 goals at even strength and 37 goals (2nd in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have a tally of 123 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 30.08%. Dallas has attempted 1,013 shots (27th in hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 13.52%, while allowing the other team 1,124 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 83.20% on their oppositions 125 chances on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 90.6%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Jake Oettinger protecting the net. He has accounted for 6,931 saves out of the 7,602 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .912. Oettinger has accrued a lifetime record of 165-72-30 and has participated in 276 games. He got the starting nod in 267 games and has been on the ice for 13,366 mins. Oettinger's percentage of quality starts comes out to 59.2% and he has accumulated 158 quality starting assignments in his professional career. The opposition is averaging 2.51 goals per game and he has surrendered 671 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Montreal (+102)

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