Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions for Tuesday January 20 2026
The Minnesota Wild travel to Quebec to face the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM EST. This matchup will be televised on ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network North, and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. Montreal enters the game as the home favorite at -142 on the moneyline, while Minnesota is listed at +120. The total is set at 6.5 goals with the Over priced at +114 and the Under at -135, while the puck line shows Canadiens -1.5 (+170) and Wild +1.5 (-205). Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more daily NHL betting insights.
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Road Test for Minnesota in Montreal
Minnesota comes into this contest with a 27-13-9 overall record and has been strong away from home this season at 14-7-3 on the road. Over their last five games, the Wild have recently won over the Sabres in overtime and picked up an overtime win against the Kraken, but they have also recently lost to the Jets, Devils, and Islanders, showing some inconsistency despite remaining competitive in most outings.
From a statistical standpoint, Minnesota is averaging 3.10 goals per game while allowing just 2.8 goals against, giving them one of the better goal differentials in this matchup. The Wild generate 28.8 shots per game while allowing 29.6 shots against, reflecting a fairly balanced style that relies on structure more than volume.
Special teams have been a solid contributor for Minnesota, as they have scored 36 power play goals with a 22.4% power play efficiency. While the penalty kill sits at 76.7%, the Wild have yet to allow a short-handed goal, which highlights disciplined puck management even when shorthanded.
Canadiens Look to Defend Home Ice
Montreal enters the game with a 27-15-7 overall record and has been respectable at home with a 13-10-1 mark at the Bell Centre. In their last five games, the Canadiens have recently won over the Senators in overtime and defeated the Canucks, but they have also recently lost to the Sabres, Capitals, and Red Wings, including a shutout loss that exposed some scoring droughts.
Offensively, Montreal is averaging 3.39 goals per game but is allowing 3.27 goals against, suggesting a higher-event style compared to Minnesota. The Canadiens average 26 shots per game while allowing 27.3 shots against, which points to a slightly slower-paced attack that still capitalizes on efficiency.
The Canadiens’ special teams are a key strength, with a 23.9% power play converting 34 goals on the season. However, their penalty kill at 78.1% has been tested often, as reflected by 35 power play goals allowed, making discipline an important factor in this matchup. 
Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Joe Duffy | +1,910.00 |
| 2 |  Steve Seagrave | +1,460.00 |
| 3 |  Sean Higgs | +1,338.00 |
| 4 |  Bryan Power | +905.00 |
| 5 |  Ben Burns | +519.00 |
Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens Pick
- Pick: Minnesota Wild +120 Moneyline
Minnesota offers value as an underdog in this spot due to their strong road record and tighter defensive profile. While Montreal has the home-ice advantage, the Wild’s ability to limit goals against and stay composed in close games gives them a solid chance to steal this one outright, especially against a Canadiens team that has been inconsistent defensively.
Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens Total Pick
- Pick: Under 6.5 Goals
I’m taking the Under here because Minnesota tends to slow games down and limit high-danger chances, particularly on the road. While Montreal can score, their recent offensive inconsistency combined with the Wild’s structured defensive play makes a lower-scoring outcome more likely than a wide-open shootout.
Final Score Prediction:
Minnesota Wild 3, Montreal Canadiens 2
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Monday.
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