Stars vs. Canadiens NHL Predictions, Picks and Odds - Jan. 4

Two of the best squads in their respective conferences will battle when the Dallas Stars (third in Western Conference) host the Montreal Canadiens (fourth in Eastern Conference) on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. The oddsmakers have made the Stars solid favorites at -185 on the moneyline, and the Canadiens are at +154.

Dallas fell 4-3 on the road its last time out on Jan. 1 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Mikko Rantanen (one goal and one assist) and Matt Duchene (one goal and one assist) were among the three Stars players who put up two points each.

Montreal lost 2-0 on the road against the St. Louis Blues in its last game on Jan. 3. Jacob Fowler took the loss in goal for the Canadiens while making 17 saves and allowing two goals in that outing.

As hockey play continues, prepare for the matchup by checking out which team we project to capture the win in Sunday's game.

Stars vs. Canadiens Predictions & Pick

For insights on the upcoming game between the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens, computer-derived moneyline, over/under, and score predictions are below, sourced from Dunkel Index.

• Prediction: Stars 3 - Canadiens 2
• Pick OU: Under 6.5 (Dunkel projecting 5.02 goals)
  

Pick with the best in the business! Get free picks for every game, every week at the Dunkel Index.

Stars vs. Canadiens Moneylines

Take a look below at the latest moneylines for the Stars-Canadiens matchup.

• Favorite: Stars (-185)
• Underdog: Canadiens (+154)

Stars Betting Insights

• The Stars have won 57.6% of their games when favored on the moneyline this season (19-14).
• In games it has played with moneyline odds of -185 or shorter, Dallas has put together a 6-4 record (winning 60.0% of its games).
• Based on the moneyline in this matchup, the Stars' implied win probability is 64.9%.
• Dallas and its opponent have posted more than 6.5 goals in 19 of 41 games this season.

Canadiens Betting Insights

• This season the Canadiens have won 12 of the 23 games, or 52.2%, in which they've been an underdog.
• Montreal is 1-2 this season when entering a game as an underdog by +154 or more on the moneyline.
• The oddsmakers' moneyline implies a 39.4% chance of victory for the Canadiens.
• Montreal has combined with its opponent to score more than 6.5 goals in 24 of 41 games this season.

Stars Key Stats

• Dallas' 140 total goals (3.4 per game) make it the third-highest scoring team in the league.
• The Stars have given up 110 total goals (2.7 per game), the fourth-fewest in league play.
• Its +30 goal differential is the third-best in the league.
• The 37 power-play goals the Stars have recorded this season are second-best in the NHL (on 124 power-play chances).
• Dallas has the league's second-best power-play conversion rate (29.84%).
• The Stars have scored two shorthanded goals this season.
• Dallas kills 82.17% of opponent power plays, the sixth-best penalty-kill percentage in the league.
• Dallas wins 52.1% of its faceoffs to rank seventh in the NHL.
• The Stars' 13.5% shooting percentage leads the league.

Canadiens Key Stats

• With 135 goals (3.3 per game), Montreal has the league's sixth-best offense.
• The Canadiens give up 3.3 goals per game (134 in total), 23rd in the NHL.
• Its +1 goal differential ranks 11th in the league.
• The Canadiens have 28 power-play goals (ninth-most in NHL) on 117 chances.
• Montreal's power-play percentage (23.93) ranks the team eighth in the league.
• The Canadiens have three shorthanded goals (12th in NHL).
• Montreal's has the 23rd-ranked penalty-kill percentage (77.1%).
• Montreal wins 49.9% of faceoffs, 17th-ranked in the NHL.
• The 12.8% shooting percentage of the Canadiens is second in the league.