The American Airlines Center is playing host an East-West tilt as the Dallas Stars take the ice against the visiting Montreal Canadiens. This one will get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 21 and it is being televised live on Reseau Des Sports.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Dallas Stars Odds
The Stars are 10-10 straight up (SU) and have recorded -2.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a welcome improvement over the 34-48 record from last years regular season campaign. Of the teams 20 games this season, 11 have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 7-2 SU at home this year.
Dallas comes into the matchup with the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has found the net on 27.4 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 11th overall, and its successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all penalties.
Dallas, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.6 times per game overall this season, and 5.8 per game over its past five match ups. The teams had to kill penalties for a whopping 15.6 minutes per game over its last five matchups, overall.
Sporting a .904 save percentage and 24.0 saves per game, Ben Bishop (8-8) has been the best option in goal for the Stars this year. If head coach Ken Hitchcock decides to give him a rest, however, the Stars could turn to Kari Lehtonen (3-4-4 record, .897 save percentage, 2.89 goals against average).
Jamie Benn and John Klingberg will both be focal points for the Stars. Benn (21 points) is up to 11 goals and 10 assists and has recorded multiple points on five separate occasions this year. Klingberg has four goals and 15 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 11 contests.
Montreal is 8-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 11 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just two have pushed. As an away team, Montreal is 4-6 SU so far.
Montreal has converted on just 15.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark thats ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and its successfully killed off 75.7 percent of all penalties.
Montreals players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 5.2 per game over their last five on the road. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays 12.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Carey Price (25.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Montreal. Price has three wins, eight losses, and one overtime loss to his credit, and has registered a .877 save percentage and 3.77 goals against average this year.
Brendan Gallagher (eight goals, five assists) and Shea Weber (four goals, nine assists) are the top point-getters for Montreal and will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Dallas Stars Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in four of Dallas last five games.
- The Canadiens are 2-5 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Stars are 5-6 SU when they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- Dallas has averaged 5.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.7 takeaways per game (ranked 19th in the league).
- Montreal has allowed 4.3 goals per game (while managing just 1.7 goals per contest) over its three-game losing streak.
- Montreal skaters have averaged 5.7 takeaways per game (ranked 25th).
