NHL January 4, 2026

Dallas has been one of the league's most consistent teams at home this season, and they're heavy favorites against a Montreal squad that's still figuring out its identity. The Stars' defensive system under Pete DeBoer has been suffocating, and they rarely give up easy chances.

The Canadiens have shown flashes of their future potential, but they're not ready to compete with elite teams on the road. Their young core is talented, but experience matters in these spots, and Dallas has plenty of it.

Look for the Stars to control this game from puck drop. Their depth scoring has been outstanding, and Jake Oettinger has been rock-solid between the pipes. Dallas should cruise to a comfortable victory in front of their home crowd.

The Penguins' dynasty is clearly over, but Sidney Crosby refuses to accept it. Pittsburgh has been fighting for every point, even as the playoffs slip further away. Their veteran core still plays with pride, making them dangerous against anyone.

Columbus has been the surprise of the Metropolitan Division. Their young talent has matured faster than expected, and they're playing with the confidence of a team that believes it can make noise in the postseason. The Blue Jackets are favored at home for good reason.

This should be an entertaining, high-event game. Both teams like to push the pace, and neither has a shutdown goaltender right now. Lean Columbus at home, but consider the over as the best bet on this card.

This is a Stanley Cup Finals preview if there ever was one. The back-to-back champion Panthers host the Avalanche in a battle of legitimate title contenders. Both teams have championship pedigree and the star power to take over any game.

Colorado has been rolling lately, with Nathan MacKinnon playing at an MVP level and Cale Makar quarterbacking one of the league's most dangerous power plays. The Avs' speed can overwhelm anyone, and they've been especially potent on the road this season.

Florida knows exactly what it takes to win at this level. Their defensive structure is elite, and Sergei Bobrovsky is capable of stealing any game. The Panthers don't get rattled, and their depth has been a weapon all season.

Take Colorado as slight road favorites. Their talent edge is real, and they've been the better team recently. This should be a tight, physical game that comes down to special teams and goaltending.

A Metropolitan Division showdown between two teams with serious playoff aspirations. The Hurricanes have been the model of consistency under Rod Brind'Amour, and their system travels well regardless of opponent or venue.

New Jersey's electric offense makes them dangerous every night, but their defensive structure has been inconsistent. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt can score on anyone, but they need better team defense to compete for a Cup.

Carolina's checking line is one of the best in hockey, and they'll make life difficult for the Devils' skill players. The Hurricanes have owned this matchup historically, and there's no reason to expect that to change tonight.

Vegas is the heaviest favorite on the board, and it's hard to argue. The Golden Knights have been dominant all season, with Mitch Marner fitting seamlessly into their system since his July trade from Toronto. Their depth is ridiculous, and they don't have any weaknesses to exploit.

Chicago is in full rebuild mode, and nights like this are going to be painful. Connor Bedard has been everything they hoped for, but he can't do it alone. The Blackhawks simply don't have the supporting cast to compete with elite teams.

The only question here is the puck line. Vegas should win comfortably, but the -1.5 at plus money is intriguing. The Golden Knights have been covering spreads at an impressive rate, and they don't let off the gas against rebuilding teams. Take Vegas and the puck line.