NHL January 7, 2026

TNT gets a premier matchup as the Central Division-leading Stars visit Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals. Dallas has been one of the NHL's best all season, sitting at 25-10-8 with a balanced attack that can beat you in multiple ways. Jake Oettinger's been stellar in net, and the Stars' defensive structure is suffocating.

Washington's having a renaissance season. At 22-15-6, the Capitals are legitimate playoff contenders, and Ovechkin continues his chase of Gretzky's all-time goals record. Tom Wilson is day-to-day after sitting out recently, and his physical presence would be a big factor against Dallas's skill players.

The Stars are the better team, but Washington at home is dangerous. The under at 5.5 is the play - both teams emphasize defensive structure, and this feels like a 2-1 or 3-2 game. Take Dallas -125 if you need a side, but the total is where the value lives.

Montreal's resurgence has been one of the season's best stories. The Canadiens are 23-13-6 and playing playoff-caliber hockey with a young core that's developing faster than expected. Nick Suzuki's leadership has elevated the entire roster, and the Bell Centre atmosphere is electric on nights like this.

Calgary's rebuild continues. At 18-20-4, the Flames are in no-man's land - not bad enough for a lottery pick, not good enough for playoffs. Their road record is concerning, and the Flames have struggled against teams that can match their physical style.

Montreal should handle this one. The Habs' home-ice advantage is real, and they've been covering spreads against inferior opponents all season. Take Montreal -155 and the over - the Canadiens' offense has been clicking lately.

Central Division rivals meet in a Wednesday night special. St. Louis and Chicago have identical records (17-18 in regulation) and are both fighting for wild card positioning. This is old-school hockey - these teams genuinely dislike each other, and the intensity should be through the roof.

The Blues have been inconsistent but have the veteran leadership to win games like this. Ryan O'Reilly and Jordan Kyrou can take over when needed, and their goaltending tandem has stabilized after early-season concerns.

Chicago's rebuild under Ben Johnson (yes, the one who left Detroit) has shown progress, but they're not ready to beat playoff-caliber opponents consistently. Connor Bedard's brilliance is must-watch, but one player can't carry a team night after night.

Take the Blues -115 on the road. St. Louis has more experience in these rivalry games and should execute better in the third period. The under's tempting too - both teams grind out low-scoring affairs.

Ottawa continues their Western road trip in Salt Lake City. The Senators are 20-16-5 and firmly in the playoff hunt, with Brady Tkachuk playing MVP-caliber hockey and Tim Stutzle developing into one of the game's elite playmakers. Their offensive firepower is undeniable.

Utah's inaugural season has been a mixed bag. At 20-20-3, the Mammoth have been respectable but inconsistent. The transition from Arizona has been smoother than expected, and the home crowds have embraced their new team. Clayton Keller remains their go-to scorer.

Ottawa's the better team, but travel and time zones matter. The Senators are playing their third road game in five nights, which could lead to tired legs in the third period. Still, take Ottawa -130 - their talent advantage should be enough to overcome the schedule.

The late-night Pacific Division matchup features a surprisingly competitive Sharks squad visiting the Kings. San Jose's 21-18-3 record is remarkable given their recent rebuild - Macklin Celebrini has been everything advertised and more. The kid's a star, and he's only getting better.

Los Angeles has been frustrating. At 18-14-9, the Kings have the talent to contend but haven't put it together consistently. Anze Kopitar's line has been excellent, and their power play is dangerous, but the goaltending situation has been a question mark all season.

The Sharks as underdogs have been a profitable play this season. San Jose plays with nothing to lose and attacks with speed. That said, the Kings at home against a divisional rival should take care of business. Take LA -175, but the over at 5.5 is the better play - these teams trade goals when they meet.