The New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild meet Saturday in NHL action at the Xcel Energy Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

New York Rangers Betting Preview 

The New York Rangers look to build on their 6-game winning streak. The New York Rangers have won 5 straight road games. The New York Rangers are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 32.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Chris Kreider leads New York with 7 goals, Artemi Panarin has 11 assists, and Mika Zibanejad has 30 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Rangers are allowing 1.9 goals per game and are killing 81.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Igor Shesterkin has allowed 18 goals on 206 shots faced, while Jonathan Quick has given up 1 goal on 57 shots.

New York Rangers Team Facts

• The Rangers have won each of their last six games.
• The Rangers have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as underdogs following a home win.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last six games at Xcel Energy Center.
• The Rangers have won the third period in seven of their last eight games as underdogs following a win.

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview 

The Minnesota Wild look to snap a 4-game losing streak. The Wild have lost 3 of their first 5 home games. The Minnesota Wild are averaging 3.5 goals per game and are scoring on 15.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Ryan Hartman leads Minnesota with 6 goals, Mats Zuccarello has 8 assists and Kirill Kaprizov has 39 shots on goal. Defensively, the Minnesota Wild are allowing 4.2 goals per game and are killing 63.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Filip Gustavsson has allowed 27 goals on 239 shots faced, and Marc-Andre Fleury has given up 13 goals on 116 shots.

Minnesota Wild Team Facts

• The Wild have lost each of their last seven games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The favorites have won the second period in six of the last seven games between the Rangers and Wild.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last six games between the Rangers and Wild at Xcel Energy Center.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Minnesota Wild ranks 32nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (63.64%).
• The Minnesota Wild ranks 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (4.20).
• The New York Rangers ranks 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (1.90).
• The New York Rangers ranks 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (32.43%).

Randy’s Pick

The Minnesota Wild are better than this recent stretch indicates, and they should get back on the right side eventually. You’d assume it will happen at home. With that said, the New York Rangers have won six straight games and their defense has been ridiculous. That defense has traveled as well. I’m not eager to step in front of the Rangers given this current stretch. Pick ’em prices, give me the Rangers.