Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/20/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Venue:  Centre Bell, Montréal, QC

Where to Watch:  ESPN+

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Wild +120, Canadiens -142; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

Bet365:  Moneyline:  Wild +120, Canadiens -140; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Wild +120, Canadiens -145; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

Minnesota Wild:  27-13-9 (3rd place, Central Division)

Montreal Canadiens:  27-15-7 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)

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Minnesota Wild:  4-3-3 last 10

Montreal Canadiens:  6-3-1 last 10

The Wild are entering this game with 63 points, a 27-13-9 record overall, and they are 14-7-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Buffalo Sabres in their last game, winning that one on the road 5-4 in overtime, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs still to be played on Monday night. In their game against the Sabres, Mats Zuccarello, Quinn Hughes, Vladimir Tarasenko, Marcus Foligno, and Ryan Hartman each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Kirill Kaprizov led the team in assists with 3 while Vladimir Tarasenko led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Filip Gustavsson was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 24 shots with 20 saves and a .833 save percentage. Their offense has scored 155 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 140 goals against them allowing 2.9 goals per game.

The Canadiens are entering this game with 61 points, a 27-15-7 record overall, and they are 13-10-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Ottawa Senators in their last game, winning that one on the road 6-5 in overtime. Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský each led the team in goals scored with 2 while Josh Anderson and Alexandre Carrier each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Lane Hutson led the team in assists with 3 while Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki each led the team in shots on net in that game with 3. Sam Montembeault was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 5 goals on 34 shots with 29 saves and a .853 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 168 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 164 goals against them allowing 3.3 goals per game.

The current betting odds have the Canadiens listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Canadiens have looked good in their games this season with their 27-15-7 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the East. They have looked good on home ice too with their 13-10-1 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Wild have looked good in their games this season with their 27-13-9 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the West. They have been a great road team too with their 14-7-3 road record this year. The Wild have been rolling all season with one of the best records in the West, but lately they haven't been at their best. They are off a 5-4 win over the red hot Sabres in their last one, but that was a tight OT win on the road and they are still only 4-3-3 in their last 10 games. They aren't in a great situation here either, playing this game on the road on a back-to-back with a tough game against the Maple Leafs on Monday night. The Canadiens can take advantage of the Wild in this bad situation since they will be rested and they have also looked good lately. They are off a 6-5 win over the Senators in their last one, erasing a 5-3 deficit in the 3rd period, and they are also 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. The Canadiens have built a good team for this season that is ready to compete so they are going to bring their best effort for one of the best in the West, especially with a chance to catch them in a bad situation here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Canadiens to win this game. 

Wild Canadiens Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Canadiens 4 Wild 3.

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Minnesota Wild: 28-41 (-6.5 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 to +150. 42-62 (-12.7 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 84-79 (-5.2 units) on the moneyline against poor power play killing teams - opp score on over 17.5% of chances. 35-28 OVER in a road game where the total is 6 or more.

Montreal Canadiens: 19-10 (+5.6 units) on the moneyline as a home favorite of -200 or less. 41-43 (+7.4 units) on the moneyline in non-conference games. 20-17 (+12.5 units) on the moneyline after playing 3 consecutive road games. 48-33 OVER against poor defensive teams - opponents average 29.5+ shots on goal.

Minnesota Wild:  M. Johansson (LW) Day To Day - Lower Body. M. Boldy (LW) Out - Undisclosed. J. Eriksson Ek (C) Out - Lower Body. J. Brodin (D) Out - Lower Body. Z. Bogosian (D) Out - Undisclosed.

Montreal Canadiens:  P. Laine (RW) Out - Abdomen. K. Dach (C) Out - Foot. A. Newhook (C) Out - Ankle.

“None of us liked how the homestand went, and I think to be able to get on the road with this group, this is the group we’re going to have for the road trip, was get to the identity and play the game that gives us the best chance to win. The guys bought into it, they executed and we found a way to win, which is great.” - John Hynes after his team’s win against the Sabres in their game on Saturday.

“I think they were executing at a much higher level, especially in the second period. They caught us out there for a long time. I think fatigue builds up.” - Martin St. Louis after his team’s win against the Senators in their game on Saturday. 

LW Kirill Kaprizov

C Ryan Hartman

RW Mats Zuccarello

LD Quinn Hughes

RD Brock Faber

G Filip Gustavsson

LW Cole Caufield

C Nick Suzuki

RW Kirby Dach

LD Mike Matheson

RD Noah Dobson

G Sam Montembeault

Points: Kirill Kaprizov (55)

Goals: Matt Boldy (27)

Assists: Kirill Kaprizov (30)

GAA: Filip Gustavsson (2.55)

Points: Nick Suzuki (54)

Goals: Cole Caufield (24)

Assists: Lane Hutson (42)

GAA: Jacob Fowler (2.62)

Coaches:

Minnesota Wild: John Hynes (3rd season)

Montreal Canadiens: Martin St. Louis (5th season)