Canadians @ Stars

[Louie]

The Dallas Stars look to increase their huge lead on the Western Conference Pacific Division's pretenders as they host the struggling Montreal Canadians at American Airlines Center on Wednesday night.

The Stars have been cashing at the ticket window in recent meetings between these clubs as they've gone a money-making 3-0-1 ATS over the last four tilts.

All season long Dallas has been sitting comfortably on the cash train, as they've gone a bankroll padding 9-2 ATS at home this season. They're also an impressive 3-0 ATS at home when they play following a loss.

Offensively the Stars are lead by Captain Mike Modano, who sits 4th in league scoring with 30 points. As a team, Dallas are ranked a solid 5th in league offense with scoring average of 3.18 goals/game.

The Dallas squad has also been spectacular on special teams this season as the power play unit is ranked 4th in the league with a 21.5% success rate while on the man advantage.

Things haven't been so positive at Montreal's end of the ice this year. After signing MVP goaltender Jose Theodore to a long term deal in the offseason, Theodore and the team have struggled.

The Habs are a bankroll burning 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall. Things havent been any better on the road of late as they've struggled to a equally disapointing 1-3 ATS record in their last four away from Molson Center.

Special teams have been horrid this season for Montreal. With the new obstruction rules in the NHL this was not the time to suffer on the penalty kill. The Canadiens currently sit dead last in the league with a 73.8% success rate while short handed.

The Canadiens defense ranks 25th in the NHL with a team goals against average of 3.12. Theodore was expected to carry this team to the playoffs, but now ranks 38th in the league among goaltenders, with a personal GA average of 3.52.

Montreal coach Michel Therrien has announced that Jose Theodore will get the start in goal against Dallas despite the solid play from backup Jeff Hacket