In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Blackhawks prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, January 27th at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 29-14-10 this year after they lost to Florida in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Minnesota led 3-2 in the third period, but they allowed the tying goal with about seven minutes left and lost in overtime. The Wild were out shot by a total of 34-21, won 46.4% of the face-offs, and went 2-6 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Boldy, Eriksson Ek, and Kaprizov, while Gustavsson stopped 30 out of 34 shots, which was an .882 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Red Wings by a score of 4-3, but lost to the Canadiens by a score of 4-3 before that. The Wild have lost two of their last three games and they are currently second in the Central standings with 68 points. Minnesota has scored 3.17 goals per game and they have allowed 2.85 goals against per game, while also going 24.2% on the power play and 76.3% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 28 goals and 36 assists, while Matt Boldy has added 28 goals and 25 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 17-9-6 with a 2.62 goals against average and a .908 save percentage this year.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks are 21-23-8 this season after they lost to Florida by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Chicago tied the game at one in the second period, but they allowed four goals in the third for the loss. The Blackhawks were out shot by a total of 25-22, won 46.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Chicago got their lone goal from Bertuzzi, while Knight stopped 20 out of 24 shots, which was an .833 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Chicago lost to the Lightning by a score of 2-1, but did beat the Hurricanes by a score of 4-3 before that. The Blackhawks have split their last four games and they are currently sixth in the Central standings with 50 points. Chicago has scored 2.65 goals per game and they have allowed 3.08 goals against per game, while also going 20.5% on the power play and 85.5% on the penalty kill this season. Connor Bedard has led Chicago with 20 goals and 28 assists, while Tyler Bertuzzi has added 25 goals and 14 assists. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Spencer Knight, who is 15-14-6 with a 2.58 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this season.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last 10 games at Grand Casino Arena following a loss.
- The Wild have won each of their last eight home games against the Blackhawks.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three games when playing with a rest disadvantage against Wild.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in six of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents after coming off overtime.
- The Wild have won the third period in each of their last five games against the Blackhawks when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Wild’s last eight games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Blackhawks’ last four games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the last three games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last six games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last six night games at Grand Casino Arena.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Vladimir Tarasenko has scored at least one goal in six of his last eight home appearances against the Blackhawks.
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Wild’s last five games.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Tyler Bertuzzi has scored at least one goal in each of the Blackhawks’ last three games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- Connor Bedard has recorded two or more assists in each of his last four road appearances against Central Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Minnesota Wild rank 27th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (76.30%).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 7th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.16%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (85.45%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 27th in the league for goals per game this season (2.65).
Wild vs Blackhawks Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup after losing two of their last three games and they have gone to overtime in three of their last five. The Wild are 14-6-7 at home this year, while the Blackhawks are 10-10-3 on the road. Chicago has lost two in a row and they have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five. I can’t trust this Chicago offense at all, especially against a high scoring Minnesota offense, so I will take the Wild -1.5 in this one.