Vegas Golden Knights (50-22-10) vs. Minnesota Wild (45-30-7)
April 26, 2025 4:00 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Wild 124 / Vegas Golden Knights -148; Over/Under: 5.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Wild vs Golden Knights prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, April 26, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
The Vegas Golden Knights (51-24-10, 49-36 ATS) are in a precarious position here after losing two straight games to the Wild. After winning 4-2 in Game 1 of the current Round 1 series, the Golden Knights lost the next two with an identical 5-2 result. In Game 3, Alex Pietrangelo and Reilly Smith scored for Vegas, while Adin Hill saved 17 of 21 shots before being replaced with Akira Schmid, who stopped all nine shots he faced.
The Golden Knights average 3.34 goals per game this year (5th), while they allow 2.61 GPG (3rd). Jack Eichel leads the team with 94 points (28 G and 66 A). Mark Stone contributes 67 points (19 G and 48 A), while Tomas Hertl has 64 points (34 G and 30 A).
Adin Hill (33-15-5) will likely take his place in the cage for the Golden Knights on Saturday against the Wild. The 28-year-old is allowing 2.47 goals per game this year with a .906 SV% and four shutouts.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild (47-31-7, 41-44 ATS) have an opportunity to take a commanding lead in Round 1 against the Wild with a potential win on Saturday. Following a 4-2 loss in Game 1, the Wild secured a pair of 5-2 victories and now surprisingly lead 2-1 in the series. In Game 3, Minnesota was 4-1 up after two periods. Kirill Kaprizov led the team with two power-play goals, while Marco Rossi, Matt Boldy, and Marcus Foligno also scored. Filip Gustavsson saved 30 of 32 shots he faced.
The Wild score 2.74 goals per game on average (25th), while they concede 2.88 GPG (15th). This season, Matt Boldy leads the team with 79 points (31 G and 48 A). Kirill Kaprizov has 63 points (29 G and 34 A), while Marco Rossi chips in with 62 points (25 G and 37 A).
Filip Gustavsson (33-20-6) is expected to start for the Wild at the goal on Saturday against the Golden Knights. The 26-year-old is allowing 2.56 goals per game this year with a .914 SV% and five shutouts.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Wild’s last six day games at Xcel Energy Center have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Golden Knights’ last five road games following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last eight games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last nine Saturday games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Minnesota Wild rank 31st in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (0.78).
- The Minnesota Wild rank T3rd in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (4).
- The Vegas Golden Knights are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 5th in the league for goals per game this season (3.34).
Wild vs Golden Knights Prediction
The Golden Knights won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters and were better in four of six games this season. Still, the Wild won the last two, which count the most, and another win here would get Minnesota one step away from the second round. The Knights have to be more aggressive on offense; after all, they play against average defense and below-average offense in the NHL. That “below-average offense” scored five goals in two straight games against Vegas, so I cannot underestimate the Wild here. I am backing the hosts to score at least two or three goals, and given that the visitors have to go for the victory, I expect a high-scoring affair. All three games of the series produced 6+ goals, which should be the case on Saturday as well.
