In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Ducks prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, April 14th at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 45-24-12 this season after they lost to the Blues by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Minnesota led 3-1 in the second period, but they allowed the last five goals for the loss. The Wild out shot St. Louis by a total of 31-22, won 41.2% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Foligno, McCarron, and Yurov, while Gustavsson stopped 16 out of 21 shots, which was a .762 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Minnesota lost to the Predators by a score of 2-1 and the Stars by a score of 5-4. The Wild have lost three games in a row and they are currently third in the Central standings with 102 points. Minnesota has scored 3.27 goals per game and they have allowed 2.88 goals against per game, while also going 25.3% on the power play and 80.0% 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 Jesper Wallstedt, who is 17-9-6 with a 2.63 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Preview
The Anaheim Ducks are 42-32-6 this year after they lost to the Canucks in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Anaheim erased a 3-1 deficit in the third period, but they took a penalty in overtime and lost with 10 seconds left. The Ducks out shot Vancouver by a total of 27-26, won 52.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Anaheim got goals from Carlsson and Gauthier (2), while Dostal stopped 22 out of 26 shots, which was an .846 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Anaheim defeated the Sharks by a score of 6-1, but lost to the Predators by a score of 5-0 before that. The Ducks have lost seven of their last eight games and they are currently third in the Pacific standings with 90 points. Anaheim has scored 3.23 goals per game and they have allowed 3.51 goals against per game, while also going 18.4% on the power play and 76.8% on the penalty kill this season. Cutter Gauthier has led Anaheim with 40 goals and 27 assists, while Leo Carlsson has added 29 goals and 37 assists. The projected starting goalie for Anaheim is Lukas Dostal, who is 30-19-4 with a 3.10 goals against average and an .889 save percentage this year.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Wild have won 20 of their last 21 games against the Ducks.
- The Ducks have lost five of their last six games as favorites.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in each of their last 11 games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Ducks have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Wild have won the third period in each of their last nine games against the Ducks following a road loss.
Why the Anaheim Ducks will win
- The Ducks have won each of their last 14 games as road favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Wild have lost each of their last five night games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Ducks have covered the puck line in each of their last four road games against Central Division opponents.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Ducks have won the second period in eight of their last nine road games against Western Conference opponents when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Ducks’ last six games against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Wild’s last five night games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight Tuesday night games between teams from different divisions have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Ducks’ last 11 games as road favorites.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last 10 games against Pacific Division opponents.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Boldy has scored at least one goal in seven of the Wild’s last eight home games against Pacific Division opponents.
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with the Wild as underdogs.
Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts
- Cutter Gauthier has scored at least one goal in each of the Ducks’ last four road games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- John Carlson has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances with his team as a road favorite.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Minnesota Wild rank 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (25.29%).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.88).
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.51).
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 25th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (76.77%).
Wild vs Ducks Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup on a three game losing streak and they have allowed at least five goals in two of those three losses. The Wild are 22-10-8 at home this year, while the Ducks are 18-19-2 on the road. Anaheim has lost seven of their last eight games and they are in danger of dropping to the first wild card spot. I don’t like how the Ducks are playing, but I think Minnesota is going to take it easy in this one, so I will take Anaheim to win.