Canadiens, Stars Face Off in High-Stakes Rematch in Dallas

DALLAS – The Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars will clash for the second time in less than a week on Thursday night at the American Airlines Center, with both teams looking to build on recent momentum. The Stars edged out a 2-1 shootout victory over the Canadiens in Montreal last Saturday, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch.

The Canadiens, riding a 10-2-1 record in their last 13 games, aim to close out their road trip with a perfect four points. Kirby Dach’s multi-goal performance powered Montreal to a 5-3 win over the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday, showcasing their league-leading offense during this stretch. Meanwhile, the Stars have been dominant at home, boasting the fifth-most home wins in the NHL this season.

Dallas, under head coach Pete DeBoer, has relied on elite defense and goaltending, allowing the third-fewest goals per game in the league. Their 8-1-1 record in the last 10 games includes a strong showing against the Canadiens last weekend, where Jake Oettinger made 30 saves and Jamie Benn scored in regulation before Jason Robertson sealed the win in a shootout.

Montreal’s rookie defenseman Lane Hutson continues to shine, extending his point streak to five games with three assists in Tuesday’s win. Hutson, a Calder Trophy contender, ranks second in NHL defenseman scoring since December 17. On the Stars’ side, Roope Hintz has been a force at home, scoring 13 of his team-leading 19 goals at the American Airlines Center.

Both teams enter Thursday’s game with key players to watch. For Montreal, Patrik Laine has been a standout, scoring the lone goal in Saturday’s loss and contributing significantly in Tuesday’s win. Dallas will look to Logan Stankoven, who broke a 25-game goal drought with two goals and an assist in their 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Injury updates add intrigue to the matchup. Roope Hintz, who left Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury, is considered day-to-day and will not play Thursday. Justin Hryckowian has been called up from the AHL to fill in for the Stars. Montreal’s lineup remains intact, with no major injuries reported.

Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on TSN2 and RDS. Fans can also tune in to TSN 690 and 98.5 FM for radio coverage.