Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens prediction 12-21-23 NHL Picks
Minnesota Wild (13-13-4) vs Montreal Canadiens (14-13-4)
2023-12-21 20:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Minnesota Wild -189 / Montreal Canadiens +150 --- Over/Under: 6
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The Minnesota Wild look for a win an after winning 4 of their last 5 games. The Montreal Canadiens look for a win after splitting their last 8 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Montreal Canadiens vs Minnesota Wild prediction.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are coming off wins over the Islanders and Jets. The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.71 goals per game and are scoring on 18 percent of their power play opportunities. Sean Monahan leads Montreal with 9 goals, Nick Suzuki has 18 assists and Cole Caufield has 115 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.32 goals per game and are killing 73.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jake Allen has given up 39 goals on 407 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 39 goals on 439 shots.
Montreal Canadiens Team Facts
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last nine games at Xcel Energy Center.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine night games after coming off overtime.
- The Canadiens have lost the first period in seven of their last eight games at Xcel Energy Center.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last seven games at Xcel Energy Center.
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Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild responded with a loss to the Penguins with a win over the Bruins. The Minnesota Wild are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 17.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Joel Eriksson Ek leads Minnesota with 14 goals, Mats Zuccarello has 22 assists and Kirill Kaprizov has 99 shots on goal. Defensively, the Minnesota Wild are allowing 3.2 goals per game and are killing 72.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Filip Gustavsson has allowed 53 goals on 561 shots faced, and Marc-Andre Fleury has given up 39 goals on 360 shots.
Minnesota Wild Team Facts
- The Wild have won each of their last nine home games against the Canadiens.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine night games following a road win.
- The favorites have won the first period in each of the Wild’s last seven games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last seven night games at Xcel Energy Center against opponents on a winning streak.
Montreal Canadiens vs Minnesota Wild prediction
The Minnesota Wild play their best hockey on their home ice, and the Habs are hard to trust on the road due to a lack of consistent offensive punch. The Wild have also owned the Canadiens over the years, which includes wins in 9 of the last 10 meetings and six straight wins overall. Price is a bit steep, but I lean toward the Wild regardless.