The Dallas Stars (10-4-3) face the Montreal Canadiens (10-4-2) Thursday. Puck drop from Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Stars vs. Canadiens odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Tied 1-1
The Stars prevailed in a 3-2 overtime winner at the Ottawa Senators Tuesday as +108 dogs. RW Mikko Rantanen scored his ninth goal of the season, and LW Jason Robertson netted his fourth goal with 2 assists. The Stars have won 3 straight and 4 of 5. They’re 5-1-2 on the road this season.
The Habs laid an egg in a 5-1 loss to the LA Kings Tuesday as +108 home dogs. RW Josh Anderson netted his second goal of the season to put the Canadiens up 1-0 after a period, and the Kings scored 5 straight goals. They’ve lost 3 of 4, and 2 of the 3 were at home, where they’re 5-2-1 on the season.
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Stars at Canadiens odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:07 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stars +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Canadiens -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Stars +1.5 (-250) | Canadiens -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Stars at Canadiens projected goalies
Casey DeSmith (3-1-1, 2.73 GAA, .897 SV%) vs. Jakub Dobes (6-0-1, 2.25 GAA, .920 SV%)
No Jake Oettinger Thursday, but DeSmith has been serviceable. Outside of his first start against Edmonton, he has allowed 9 goals in 4 starts. His last start was Sunday, in a 2-1 win over Seattle, he stopped 30 of 31. He didn’t face Montreal last year, but went 2-0-0 with a 1.51 GAA and .939 SV% against them 2 years ago.
Dobes’ numbers are great, but he has had some leaks of late, allowing 3+ goals in 3 straight. His last outing was last Thursday in a 4-3 OT loss to New Jersey, stopping 24 of 28. The second-year pro beat Dallas last year, stopping 32 of 33, in a 3-1 win.
Stars at Canadiens picks and predictions
Prediction
Canadiens 5, Stars 3
The key to beating Montreal is to stay out of the penalty box. The Canadiens have the fifth-ranked power play at 26.1% on the season. The problem, though, is Dallas is eighth with 7.9 PIMs per game. With their backup in net, that’s what bites them.
Take the CANADIENS (-120).
Give me NOAH DOBSON OVER 1.5 SHOTS ON GOAL (-155). He has hit this mark in 5 of 6 games.
The Stars have hit 2 Unders in a row, but they cashed 4 straight Overs before that and have their backup in net. Montreal is 11-3-2 O/U on the season.
Take OVER 6 (+100).
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