<p>Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Thursday’s matchup between the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/line-combinations">Montreal Canadiens</a> and <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/dallas-stars/line-combinations">Dallas Stars</a>.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Canadiens vs. Stars Odds</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Montreal Canadiens Moneyline: +170</li>



<li>Dallas Stars Moneyline: -210</li>



<li>Puck Line: Canadiens +1.5 (-145), Stars -1.5 (+125)</li>



<li>Game Total: 5.5 (Over -115, Under -105)</li>
</ul>



<p><em>Game odds via Sports Interaction.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Handicapping the Canadiens (21-22 SU, 26-17 ATS, 21-18-4 O/U)</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/news">Montreal</a> has rattled off 13 wins in 20 games since the start of December and has continued to improve despite a grueling schedule. The Canadiens have played 12 of their last 15 games on the road, but despite earning seven wins in their last 10 away games, including three straight victories, they remain significant underdogs heading into Thursday’s matchup against the Dallas Stars.</p>



<p>Still, sharp money is backing the Canadiens to pull off another upset, as their moneyline odds have shifted from +200 to +170 early Thursday—a testament to how far this team has come. The Canadiens haven’t just been winning; they’ve been beating some of the league’s top teams and looking good doing it.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="137"></div>



<p>The Canadiens picked up wins over the likes of Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, Colorado, and Washington since returning to action following the holiday break, and their underlying metrics suggest there’s something real here. Since Dec. 28, Montreal ranks among the top 10 teams in expected goals and shots (for and against) and, coincidentally, only the Dallas Stars have posted a better goal share.</p>



<p>One big reason has been the play of goaltender Jakub Dobes, who remains undefeated in his NHL career heading into Thursday. Dobes has posted a league-leading .959 save percentage and a 0.99 goals-against average with three wins and one shutout. Dobes will get the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/starting-goalies">start</a> Thursday in Dallas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Handicapping the Stars (28-15 SU, 19-24 ATS, 12-25-6 O/U)</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/dallas-stars/line-combinations">Stars</a> have won nine of their last 11 games, including a seven-game win streak from Dec. 29 to Jan. 11. Dallas also defeated the Canadiens in Montreal on Jan. 11, but the Habs played well enough to force a shootout and proved to be one of the few real tests Dallas has faced. None of the teams the Stars have beaten since returning to action are currently in a playoff position.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="183"></div>



<p>The Stars are undeniably one of the NHL’s best teams and, unlike the Canadiens, have played consistently well all season. According to Evolving Hockey, Dallas ranks as the fourth-best team in both expected goals and shot attempts, while boasting the league’s top penalty kill at 85.22 percent. However, despite their strong overall performance, the Stars’ power play has struggled, ranking 26th with a 17.91 percent success rate.</p>



<p>Jake Oettinger, who is expected to start in goal Thursday, has been stellar, ranking 12th in goals saved above expected. He’s also benefited from a solid defense, as Dallas ranks eighth in expected goals against and fifth in shot attempts against. However, the Stars won’t be at full strength, with forward Roope Hintz ruled out and Mason Marchment sidelined until late January.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best bet for Canadiens vs. Stars</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Under 6 (-110) at Sports Interaction</li>
</ul>



<p>Dallas is 16-5-1 at home this season, but this is their first home game since Jan. 4. It also marks the Stars’ fourth game in six days, which could contribute to this being a low-event game, similar to their last meeting. While Montreal has trended toward the over this season, Dallas has not, and strong goaltending on both sides should help keep this game under the total.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="196"></div>



<p><a href="https://app.actionnetwork.com/4zu6/chznhm6b"><em>Follow Andy’s hockey bets on the Action App!</em></a></p>
