In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Stars prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, April 25th at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are down 1-2 in this series after they lost game three by a score of 4-3 in double overtime. Minnesota led 3-2 in the third period, but they allowed the tying goal with about 10 minutes left and lost in overtime. The Wild recorded 32 shots on goal, won 46.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-7 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Eriksson Ek, Johansson, and McCarron, while Wallstedt stopped 32 out of 36 shots, which was an .889 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Minnesota defeated the Ducks by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Blues by a score of 6-3 before that. The Wild have lost five of their last seven games and they finished third in the Central standings with 104 points. Minnesota scored 3.27 goals per game and they allowed 2.87 goals against per game, while also going 25.2% on the power play and 79.8% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov led Minnesota with 45 goals and 44 assists, while Matt Boldy added 42 goals and 43 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Jesper Wallstedt, who was 18-9-6 with a 2.61 goals against average and a .916 save percentage this season.
Dallas Stars Betting Preview
The Dallas Stars are up 2-1 in this series after they escaped with a double overtime win in game three. Dallas led 2-0 in the first period, but they blew the lead, before tying the game in the third and winning in double OT. The Stars recorded 36 shots on goal, won 53.9% of the face-offs, and went 3-8 on the power play in the game. Dallas got goals from Duchene, Johnston, Rantanen, and Robertson, while Oettinger stopped 29 out of 32 shots, which was a .906 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Dallas defeated the Sabres by a score of 4-3 and the Maple Leafs by a score of 6-5. The Stars have won seven of their last eight games and they finished second in the Central standings with 112 points. Dallas scored 3.33 goals per game and they allowed 2.71 goals against per game, while also going 28.6% on the power play and 80.3% on the penalty kill this season. Jason Robertson led Dallas with 45 goals and 51 assists, while Wyatt Johnston added 45 goals and 41 assists. The projected starting goalie for Dallas is Jake Oettinger, who was 35-12-6 with a 2.59 goals against average and an .899 save percentage this year.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Wild have won each of their last 10 day games at Grand Casino Arena after coming off overtime.
- The Stars have lost each of their last five day games following a road win.
- The Stars have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games after coming off overtime.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in six of their last seven day games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Stars have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games as underdogs following a road win.
Why the Dallas Stars will win
- The Stars have won each of their last five games as road underdogs following a road win.
- The Wild have lost each of their last six Game 4s of a playoff series.
- The Stars have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Wild have lost the first period in each of their last six games as favorites.
Total Goals Facts
- Ten of the Wild’s last 11 day games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Stars’ last four road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the last seven games between two teams from the Central 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 as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Stars’ last 10 day games against opponents on a losing streak.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances against the Stars.
- Quinn Hughes ranks 1st in the league for average time on ice (27:44) this season.
Dallas Stars Player Prop Facts
- Jason Robertson has scored the first goal in three of the Stars’ last four road games against the Wild.
- Jason Robertson has scored at least one goal in each of the Stars’ last six playoff games.
- Mikko Rantanen has recorded at least one assist in nine of his last 10 appearances in day playoff games.
- Wyatt Johnston ranks 1st in the league for Power Play Goals (27) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Minnesota Wild rank 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (25.19%).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.87).
- The Dallas Stars rank 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.71).
- The Dallas Stars rank 2nd in the league in power play percentage this season (28.63%).
Wild vs Stars Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup trying to avoid losing both home games, but they need to do a better job on the power play. The Wild were 23-10-8 at home this year, while the Stars were 24-9-8 on the road. Dallas has won two in a row in this series, but these teams are very evenly matched. We have seen 7, 6, and 7 goals scored in the first three games, so I am tempted to take the over, but I am going to take the Wild. Just like Dallas bounced back in game two at home, I expect Minnesota to do the same here. Take the Wild to win.