In this article we will formulate a Predators vs Wild prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, April 11th at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Nashville Predators Betting Preview
The Nashville Predators are 37-32-10 this season after they lost to the Mammoth by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Nashville allowed the first four goals in the game, but they did score late in the third to avoid the shutout. The Predators out shot Utah by a total of 30-27, won 56.0% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Nashville got their lone goal from Haula, while Saros stopped 23 out of 27 shots, which was an .852 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Nashville defeated the Ducks by a score of 5-0, but lost to the Kings by a score of 3-2 before that. The Predators have won three of their last five games and they are currently fifth in the Central standings with 84 points. Nashville has scored 2.96 goals per game and they have allowed 3.27 goals against per game, while also going 23.0% on the power play and 81.9% on the penalty kill this season. Filip Forsberg has led Nashville with 38 goals and 35 assists, while Ryan O’Reilly has added 25 goals and 47 assists. The projected starting goalie for Nashville is Juuse Saros, who is 28-21-8 with a 3.13 goals against average and an .894 save percentage this season.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 45-22-12 this year after they lost to the Stars by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Minnesota led 3-1 early in the second and 4-3 late in the second, but they allowed two goals in the third for the loss. The Wild out shot Dallas by a total of 31-20, won 50.9% of the face-offs, and went 3-5 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Hartman, Kaprizov (2), and Hughes, while Gustavsson stopped 15 out of 20 shots, which was a .750 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Kraken by a score of 5-2 and the Red Wings by a score of 5-4. The Wild have won four of their last five games and they are currently third in the Central standings with 102 points. Minnesota has scored 3.30 goals per game and they have allowed 2.85 goals against per game, while also going 25.5% on the power play and 79.2% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 45 goals and 44 assists, while Matt Boldy has added 42 goals and 43 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 28-14-6 with a 2.64 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this season.
Why the Nashville Predators will win
- The Predators have won four of their last five games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The Wild have lost each of their last four Saturday games as favorites.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in 12 of their last 13 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Predators have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs against the Wild.
- The underdogs have won the first period in each of the Wild’s last six games.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The favorites have won 14 of the Wild’s last 15 games at Bridgestone Arena.
- The Predators have lost four of their last five day games against Central Division opponents.
- The road team has covered the puck line in seven of the Predators’ last eight games.
- The Predators have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four day games.
- The Predators have lost the third period in each of their last six games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Wild’s last nine day games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eleven of the last 12 day games between two teams from the Central Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight games between the Wild and Predators at Bridgestone Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Predators’ last eight home games against the Wild.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last 10 games following a road loss.
Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts
- Steven Stamkos has scored the first goal in three of the Predators’ last four games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- Steven Stamkos has scored at least one goal in seven of the Predators’ last eight home games against Western Conference opponents.
- Roman Josi has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with the Predators as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- Steven Stamkos ranks 2nd in the league for Game Winning Goals (10) this season.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances against Central Division opponents.
- Brock Faber has recorded at least one assist in each of the Wild’s last nine games as road favorites.
- Quinn Hughes ranks 1st in the league for average time on ice (27:42) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nashville Predators rank 5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.93%).
- The Nashville Predators rank T25th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.27).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (25.50%).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.85).
Predators vs Wild Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup after their winning streak was snapped last time out, but they have scored 4+ goals in five straight games. The Wild are 23-12-4 on the road this year, while the Predators are 20-15-3 at home. Nashville has dropped two of their last three games, but they have scored five goals or more in three of their last five. The Predators are fighting to make the postseason, but Minnesota is the much better team and they are playing for seeding. Take the Wild to win here.