Game sheets · NHL
MONTREAL CANADIENS @ DALLAS STARS
Thursday, Oct 29, 2026 · 8:00 PM EDT · American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX · TV: ESPN+, Prime Video (Local)
NHL Regular Season · Lineups projected
Game preview
Montreal (7-3-2, 16 points) visits Dallas (7-4-1) in the first meeting between the teams this season. Each side is 4-1 over its last five games: Dallas's only defeat in that span was a 5-1 loss to NJ, and Montreal's was a 4-3 overtime loss to SJ. Dallas has scored 2.67 goals per game and Montreal 3.00. Both starting goalies are confirmed: Jake Oettinger (6-2-1, 1.43 GAA, .929 SV%) for Dallas and Jakub Dobes (1-2-2, 4.47 GAA, .847 SV%) for Montreal. Montreal is without Nick Suzuki (upper body), while Dallas is without Kyle Capobianco (lower body), Esa Lindell and Radek Faksa, and Sam Steel returns to the lineup. The offensive duel to watch is Mikko Rantanen, who has 14 points for Dallas, against Montreal's Cole Caufield, who has six goals.
- Jake Oettinger has three shutouts in nine games this season.
- Cole Caufield has six goals on 39 shots this season for Montreal.
- Mikko Rantanen leads Dallas with 14 points, six goals and eight assists.
- Nick Suzuki, Montreal's leading scorer with 12 points, is out with an upper-body injury and expected back Nov 18.
Players to watch
- MTLCole Caufield: 6 goals on 39 shots this season, the team's top goal scorer.
- MTLJakub Dobes: 1-2-2 with a 4.47 GAA and .847 SV% in five games, confirmed starter.
- MTLJake Evans: Scored twice in the 4-1 win at Chicago, part of Montreal's three-game win streak.
- DALMikko Rantanen: 14 points (6 G, 8 A), the team lead.
- DALJason Robertson: 13 points (5 G, 8 A) in 12 games.
- DALJake Oettinger: 6-2-1 with a 1.43 GAA and .929 SV%, confirmed starter.
DALLAS STARS(7-4-1 · 3rd in Central Division)
Forwards
| Line | # | Player | Pos | Ctry | Age | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | 22 | Joel Kiviranta | LW | FIN | 30 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| L1 | 53 | Wyatt Johnston | C | CAN | 23 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 8 | +2 |
| L1 | 96 | Mikko Rantanen | RW | FIN | 29 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 14 | +6 |
| L2 | 21 | Jason Robertson | LW | USA | 27 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 13 | +6 |
| L2 | 24 | Roope Hintz | C | FIN | 29 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 10 | +7 |
| L2 | 91 | Tyler Seguin | C | CAN | 34 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 |
| L3 | 14 | Jamie Benn | LW | CAN | 37 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +1 |
| L3 | 49 | Justin Hryckowian | C | CAN | 25 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| L3 | 25 | Arttu Hyry | RW | FIN | 25 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| L4 | 43 | Matthew Seminoff | RW | USA | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| L4 | 15 | Colin Blackwell | C | USA | 33 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 |
| L4 | 46 | Dylan Hryckowian | RW | CAN | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| Ex | 18 | Sam Steel | C | CAN | 28 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +2 |
| Ex | 48 | Jaxon Fuder | C | CAN | 20 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ex | 37 | Harrison Scott | C | USA | 26 | — | — | — | — | — |
As played Oct 27 vs NJ, from NHL shift data; tonight's lines can change. Ex: on the roster, not in that lineup.
Defence
| Pair | # | Player | Pos | Ctry | Age | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | 4 | Miro Heiskanen | D | FIN | 27 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 8 | +3 |
| D1 | 55 | Thomas Harley | D | USA | 25 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| D2 | 6 | Lian Bichsel | D | SUI | 22 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +1 |
| D2 | 5 | Nils Lundkvist | D | SWE | 26 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +3 |
| D3 | 57 | Tyler Myers | D | USA | 36 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Ex | 36 | Luke Krys | D | USA | 26 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ex | 27 | Trey Taylor | D | CAN | 24 | — | — | — | — | — |
As played Oct 27 vs NJ, from NHL shift data; tonight's lines can change. Ex: on the roster, not in that lineup. Since out: Kyle Capobianco (injured).
Goalies
| # | Goalie | Ctry | Age | GP | W-L-OT | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Jake Oettinger* | USA | 27 | 9 | 6-2-1 | 1.43 | .929 |
| 1 | Casey DeSmith | USA | 35 | 3 | 1-2-0 | 2.94 | .888 |
* Confirmed starter per Daily Faceoff, Oct 29.
Last five
| Result | Score | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| W | 4-0 | @ CHI |
| W | 3-2 OT | vs BOS |
| W | 3-2 OT | vs WPG |
| W | 6-3 | vs NYI |
| L | 5-1 | vs NJ |
Most recent first, per ESPN.
MONTREAL CANADIENS(7-3-2 · 2nd in Atlantic Division)
Forwards
| Line | # | Player | Pos | Ctry | Age | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | 85 | Alexandre Texier | LW | FRA | 27 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| L1 | 24 | Phillip Danault | C | CAN | 33 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +5 |
| L1 | 76 | Zack Bolduc | RW | CAN | 23 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 7 | +3 |
| L2 | 20 | Juraj Slafkovsky | LW | SVK | 22 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0 |
| L2 | 91 | Oliver Kapanen | C | SWE | 23 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| L2 | 13 | Cole Caufield | RW | USA | 25 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 10 | +4 |
| L3 | 22 | Chris Kreider | LW | USA | 35 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| L3 | 15 | Alex Newhook | C | CAN | 25 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -4 |
| L3 | 17 | Josh Anderson | RW | CAN | 32 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | +2 |
| L4 | 63 | Florian Xhekaj | LW | CAN | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -3 |
| L4 | 71 | Jake Evans | C | CAN | 30 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| L4 | 77 | Kirby Dach | C | CAN | 25 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -2 |
| Ex | 62 | Owen Beck | C | CAN | 22 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
As played Oct 27 at STL, from NHL shift data; tonight's lines can change. Ex: on the roster, not in that lineup.
Defence
| Pair | # | Player | Pos | Ctry | Age | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | 8 | Mike Matheson | D | CAN | 32 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | +1 |
| D1 | 21 | Kaiden Guhle | D | CAN | 24 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +2 |
| D2 | 48 | Lane Hutson | D | USA | 22 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 10 | +4 |
| D2 | 53 | Noah Dobson | D | CAN | 26 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -3 |
| D3 | 42 | Adam Engstrom | D | SWE | 22 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +2 |
| D3 | 45 | Alexandre Carrier | D | CAN | 30 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 5 | +5 |
| Ex | 72 | Arber Xhekaj | D | CAN | 25 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2 |
As played Oct 27 at STL, from NHL shift data; tonight's lines can change. Ex: on the roster, not in that lineup.
Goalies
| # | Goalie | Ctry | Age | GP | W-L-OT | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | Jakub Dobes* | CZE | 25 | 5 | 1-2-2 | 4.47 | .847 |
| 32 | Jacob Fowler | USA | 21 | 7 | 6-1-0 | 1.54 | .942 |
* Confirmed starter per the Canadiens' official X post (Oct 28) and Daily Faceoff (Oct 29).
Last five
| Result | Score | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| W | 4-3 OT | vs BUF |
| L | 4-3 OT | vs SJ |
| W | 4-1 | @ CHI |
| W | 2-1 | @ WPG |
| W | 2-0 | @ STL |
Most recent first, per ESPN.
Power play 1
| Team | Unit |
|---|---|
| DAL | Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, Wyatt Johnston |
| MTL | Noah Dobson, Cole Caufield, Oliver Kapanen, Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky |
The five skaters with the most power-play time together in each team's latest game with a power play, from NHL shift data.
Out
| Team | Player | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | Kyle Capobianco (D) | Out | Leg left, return Nov 27 |
| DAL | Esa Lindell (D) | Injured Reserve | Lower body, return Oct 31 |
| DAL | Radek Faksa (C) | Out | Lower body, return Nov 3 |
| DAL | Oskar Back (C) | Injured Reserve | Finger fracture, return Nov 14 |
| DAL | Matt Duchene (C) | Injured Reserve | Abdomen, return Jan 12 |
| MTL | Nick Suzuki (C) | Out | Upper body, return Nov 18 |
| MTL | Sam Montembeault (G) | Injured Reserve | Lower body, return Oct 31 |
| MTL | Ivan Demidov (RW) | Injured Reserve | Lower body, return Oct 31 |
| MTL | Bryce Pickford (D) | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed, return Oct 31 |
| MTL | Lucas Condotta (LW) | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed, return Oct 31 |
Injury report per ESPN.
Standings · Atlantic Division
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruins | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 19 |
| 2 | Canadiens * | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 16 |
| 3 | Senators | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 16 |
| 4 | Panthers | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 16 |
| 5 | Maple Leafs | 15 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 16 |
| 6 | Lightning | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 15 |
| 7 | Sabres | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
| 8 | Red Wings | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
Per ESPN; * tonight's teams.
Standings · Central Division
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wild | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 20 |
| 2 | Mammoth | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 16 |
| 3 | Stars * | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 15 |
| 4 | Avalanche | 13 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 15 |
| 5 | Predators | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| 6 | Blues | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| 7 | Jets | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| 8 | Blackhawks | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Per ESPN; * tonight's teams.
Team stats
| Stat | MTL | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| GAA | 3.00 | 2.00 |
| SA/G | 28.2 | 22.2 |
| PPGA | 8 | 3 |
| SHGA | 0 | 0 |
| GF/G | 3.00 | 2.67 |
| SF/G | 28.0 | 26.9 |
| PPG | 4 | 5 |
| SHG | 1 | 1 |
| PIM | 132 | 122 |
Season to date per ESPN.
Team leaders
| Team | Category | Player | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTL | Goals | Cole Caufield | 6 |
| MTL | Assists | Nick Suzuki | 7 |
| MTL | Points | Nick Suzuki | 12 |
| DAL | Goals | Mikko Rantanen | 6 |
| DAL | Assists | Mikko Rantanen | 8 |
| DAL | Points | Mikko Rantanen | 14 |
Season to date per ESPN.
Odds
| Line |
|---|
| DAL -175, O/U 5.5 (DraftKings) |
Per ESPN.
Notes
- Lines are the latest projections (NHL.com, Oct 29, 2026) and may shift; Sam Steel's return is reported by NHL.com (Oct 29) and Trey Taylor's expected debut by Rotowire (Oct 29), and Dylan Hryckowian was reassigned to AHL Texas (Fox Sports, Oct 29).
- Stats are 2026-27 season to date after 12 games per side (ESPN); the Inside the Rink preview (Oct 29) lists different Montreal defence pairs and power-play unit from NHL.com.
- Ctry = birth country: USA United States, CZE Czechia; DAL Dallas Stars, MTL Montreal Canadiens.
- IR = injured reserve; Out list is built from ESPN injury data and is not repeated on this sheet.
Sources
- ESPN – game data (Oct 29): https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401892606
- NHL.com – projected lineups (Oct 29): https://www.nhl.com/news/montreal-canadiens-dallas-stars-game-preview-october-29-2026
- Daily Faceoff – starting goalies (Oct 29): https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/starting-goalies
- NHL.com – status report (Oct 29): https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-status-report-news-and-notes-october-29-2026
- Rotowire – Capobianco injury (Oct 29): https://www.rotowire.com/hockey/headlines/kyle-capobianco-injury-set-to-miss-roughly-four-weeks-597706
- Fox Sports – game page (Oct 29): https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens-vs-dallas-stars-oct-29-2026-game-boxscore-44763
- Inside the Rink – preview (Oct 29): https://insidetherink.com/nhl-game-preview-montreal-canadiens-at-dallas-stars-with-line-combinations-10-29-2026/
- PuckPedia – Montreal injuries: https://puckpedia.com/team/montreal-canadiens/injuries
Game sheet generated