{"id":482361,"date":"2026-01-20T07:34:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T12:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=482361"},"modified":"2026-01-21T10:49:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:49:07","slug":"nhl-predictions-jan-20-boston-bruins-vs-dallas-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/20\/nhl-predictions-jan-20-boston-bruins-vs-dallas-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Jan 20 Boston Bruins vs Dallas Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0<em>Last Word on Hockey<\/em> look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. Our featured game of this edition is the Boston Bruins taking on the Dallas Stars. Don\u2019t forget to check out more <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/nhl-predictions\/\" target=\"_self\">NHL Predictions<\/a>, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"s-EgEi5wS7d_9VOlgAysaw\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2197524050\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'s-EgEi5wS7d_9VOlgAysaw',sig:'1--SvC48qctlN3k8WcZDZLb-eF9BcazJEMKh-pOy4MY=',w:'594px',h:'424px',items:'2197524050',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens<\/h2>\n<h3>2024-25 Season Series: Wild 2-0 Canadiens<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>Fan Duel Sports North; Fan Duel Sports Wisconsin; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong> TSN2; RDS<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.thescore.com\/nhl\/events\/31897\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">We open up<\/a> NHL predictions with the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/17\/nhl-predictions-jan-17-minnesota-wild-vs-buffalo-sabres\/\" target=\"_self\"> Minnesota Wild<\/a> taking on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/17\/all-canadian-saturday-edition-nhl-predictions-montreal-canadiens-at-ottawa-senators\/\" target=\"_self\">Montreal Canadiens.<\/a> <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wallsje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesper Wallstedt<\/a> is expected to draw the start after <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gustafi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Filip Gustavsson<\/a> got the call against the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/17\/nhl-predictions-january-17th-toronto-maple-leafs-at-winnipeg-jets\/\" target=\"_self\"> Toronto Maple Leafs.<\/a> Minnesota is 4-3-3 in its previous 10 games after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs on <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/19\/prime-monday-night-hockey-minnesota-wild-vs-toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">Prime Monday Night Hockey<\/a>. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kapriki01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirill Kaprizov<\/a> leads the team in assists (32) and points (57).<\/p>\n<p>Sam <span>Montembeault is the projected starter for the Canadiens. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Montreal has struggled against Minnesota in recent seasons, with the Wild going 5-0 in the last five and shutting out the Habs both times last season. Montreal is 6-3-1 in last 10 games, including a gutty 6-5 overtime victory over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/17\/ottawa-senators-running-out-of-time-to-decide-on-season\/\" target=\"_self\">Ottawa Senators.<\/a> <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/caufico01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cole Caufield<\/a> leads the club in goals with 24.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Minnesota has dominated Montreal in recent years. However, the Canadiens get the victory at home.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Canadiens win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2>Boston Bruins vs Dallas Stars<\/h2>\n<h3>2024-25 Season Series: Bruins 0-2 Stars<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>TNT; TruTV; HBO Max; NESN<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong> SN East<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>Our second and featured game of NHL predictions has the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/17\/nhl-predictions-january-17th-chicago-blackhawks-vs-boston-bruins\/\" target=\"_self\"> Boston Bruins<\/a> meeting the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/17\/nhl-rumours-update-on-future-of-dallas-stars-rfa-forward\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a> for the first time this season. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/swaymje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Swayman<\/a> is the likely starter for Boston, which has an 8-1-1 record in its previous 10 games. This includes six consecutive victories entering this matchup. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pastrda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Pastrnak<\/a> is first in assists (39) and points (59) so far this season. However, Marat\u00a0Khusnutdinov has six goals in his last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/oettija01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Oettinger<\/a> is the probable starter for a Stars team that has been struggling in recent games. Dallas is 2-6-2 in its last 10 games, including a three-game losing streak against a red-hot Boston team. The Stars have only managed points in four of the team&#8217;s last 10 games. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rantami01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikko Rantanen<\/a> is tops on the team in assists (44) and points (63),<\/p>\n<p>Boston is coming into this game on a winning streak. However, Dallas finds a way to get the job done.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Stars win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"kIP2cMwYSmdxzun-LALqHA\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2242413025\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'kIP2cMwYSmdxzun-LALqHA',sig:'bTTbFyZgvgrO8zXsUVcR2tca9HioGtjHNURS4ym5We8=',w:'594px',h:'366px',items:'2242413025',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>New Jersey Devils vs Edmonton Oilers<\/h2>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Devils 1-0 Oilers<\/h3>\n<p>How to Watch:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong><span> TNT; TruTV; HBO Max<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong> SN West; TVA Sports<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>Our last game of NHL predictions has the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/11\/nhl-rumours-latest-on-new-jersey-devils-defenceman\/\" target=\"_self\"> New Jersey Devils<\/a> looking to complete the season sweep of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/17\/edmonton-oilers-star-to-step-away-from-team\/\" target=\"_self\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a>. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/allenja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Allen<\/a> is the confirmed starter for the Devils, who are 4-6 in their last 10 games. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/brattje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesper Bratt<\/a> is first on the team in goals (15) and points (37) so far this campaign.<\/p>\n<p><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jarrytr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tristan Jarry<\/a> is the projected starter for the Oilers, who are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. However, Edmonton has collected victories in its last two games. The Oilers are in the second game of an eight-game homestand and looking to build momentum before the Winter Olympics. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdavco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor McDavid<\/a> is first on the team in goals (30), assists (55), and points (85).<\/p>\n<p>Edmonton will still be missing <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/draisle01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leon Draisaitl<\/a>. However, the Oilers should keep up their recent run.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Oilers win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prop Bets of the Night<\/h3>\n<p>We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let&#8217;s go back to our featured game for our preferred props of the night. The over\/under for the Bruins versus the Stars is 6.5, and we like the under in this game.<\/p>\n<p>As for individual props, go with <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/geekimo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Morgan Geekie<\/a> to score a goal for Boston. On the Dallas side of things, take <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnswy01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-19_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wyatt Johnston<\/a> to get the over on 0.5 assists.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. Our featured game of this edition is the Boston Bruins taking on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":447854,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,5,29,4547,4548],"tags":[6081,6124,6017,6012,6016,6079],"class_list":["post-482361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-bruins","category-stars","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-boston-bruins-predictions","tag-dallas-stars-predictions","tag-edmonton-oilers-predictions","tag-minnesota-wild-predictions","tag-montreal-canadiens-predictions","tag-new-jersey-devils-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=482361"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":482401,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482361\/revisions\/482401"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/447854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=482361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=482361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=482361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}