Wild vs. Blackhawks Odds
| Wild Odds | -230 |
| Blackhawks Odds | +188 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -124/ +102 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, Feb. 7 — our expert NHL prediction and preview.
Minnesota has utterly dominated this matchup over the past few seasons, winning each of the past 10 matchups. Will the Wild take care of business once again?
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Wild vs. Blackhawks prediction and pick.
Minnesota Wild
There is not a single aspect of this game in which Minnesota does not boast the advantage, at least in front of the net. This season, the Wild rank higher than the Blackhawks in goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, power-play percentage shooting percentage, faceoff percentage goals allowed per game and shots on goal allowed per game.
Not only are they better across the board in terms of surface-level stats, but they are also the stronger team analytically. At 5-on-5, Minnesota ranks higher than Chicago in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and expected goal differential per 60 minutes.
Now, the one area in which the Blackhawks have an advantage is in net, as Filip Gustavsson is slated to go against Petr Mrázek. With that said, there are a few reasons to respect Gustavsson in this matchup.
First, he has dominated the Blachawks through two career starts against them, posting a 2-0 record, .954 SV% and 1.50 GAA. The Wild won each of those games by two goals. Second, Gustavsson has started to see the puck better recently, boasting a .915 SV% and 2.79 GAA over his past four starts.
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Chicago Blackhawks
It will certainly be a relatively easy task for Gustavsson to keep things rolling against this Chicago lineup. Simply put, this is the worst team in hockey and it ranks in the bottom six of the league in goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, power-play percentage, shooting percentage, faceoff percentage, goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game and penalty-kill percentage.
Its underlying metrics are somehow even worse. At 5-on-5, it ranks 31st in xGF/60, xGA/60 and expected goal differential per 60 minutes.
Injuries have certainly made life more difficult for the Blackhawks, as Connor Bedard, Anthony Beauvillier, Andreas Athanasiou, Tyler Johnson and Taylor Hall are all out with various ailments. One of the very few positives for Chicago this season has been the play of Mrázek.
With that said, he is 0-2 in his past two starts against Minnesota with a .873 SV% and 3.52 GAA. The Wild won each of those games by three goals.
Wild vs. Blackhawks
Betting Pick & Prediction
I think we are in a good spot here to take the heavy favorites at -1.5 (+118) instead of laying -222 on the moneyline. First, +118 is a good price that is available at Caesars and is four-to-18 cents longer than the rest of the market.
Not only has Minnesota won each of the past 10 meetings between these teams, but seven of those 10 wins came by at least a two-goal differential. Additionally, 14 of Chicago's past 19 losses have come by at least a two-goal margin.
I would play this line up to +110.
Pick: Wild -1.5 (+118 at Caesars | Play to +110)
