Wild vs. Predators Odds
| Wild Odds | -115 |
| Predators Odds | -105 |
| Over/Under | 6 |
| Time | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ | Hulu |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
Red-hot Minnesota will head into Nashville looking to build on it's 9-0-1 tear with another strong road game. The Predators have been excellent at home and are desperate for points in the competitive Wild Card race in the West.
Nashville surely need these points more, but can they turn that desperation into a win here?
Wild Firing on All Cylinders
Minnesota have come out a surprising midseason lull by producing some of the best play we have seen from any club of late with their 9-0-1 record.
During those 10 games, the Wild have played to a 60.33 Expected Goals Rate and have displayed how well balanced this roster truly is.
Jake Middleton was quietly one of the most stable defenders on a bad Sharks team this season and has proved to be an excellent deadline acquisition.
He has immediately shown his worth on a top pair with the also often-underrated Jared Spurgeon. The two have played to a 61.1% Expected Goals Rate in 90 minutes of play together.
Behind them, the Wild hold an excellent second pairing of Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin, and it's clear this is one of the better top fours in hockey. The Wild also hold a reasonable third pairing with Alex Goligoski slotting down the lineup due to the Middleton addition.
The Wild's far better defensive play has allowed Marc-Andre Fleury to thrive in goal since coming over from Chicago. Fleury has posted a .956 Save Percentage with a Goals Against Average of just 1.33 and projects to start here as the Wild continue to evaluate who will get the game one start in the postseason.
Led by an excellent top line and some defenders very capable of driving play into the offensive zone, the Wild have produced lots of chances of late as well. Minnesota has generated a 10th-best 3.39 Expected Goals For per 60 rate in its last 10 contests.
The Wild's well balanced play will make them a handful come the playoffs a month from now, and they will continue the push to lock up home-ice advantage in round one on Tuesday.
Will Saros Step Up for the Predators?
The Predators remain in steady form themselves, but it's safe to say this roster in full flight is just a notch below the Wild's right now.
The Predators have played to a 6-4-0 record over the last 10 games, with a middling 50.96 Expected Goals Rate.
Roman Josi continues to lead the way with a Norris-caliber season, and there are some excellent stories from this roster this season leading it to a surprising playoff berth. However, the depth on hand leaves the group at a disadvantage compared to the true contenders in the West.
The x-factor heading in to the postseason will be the play of Juuse Saros in goal. Saros is capable of producing Vezina Trophy-level play, as we have seen much of the last two seasons.
However, Saros has posted far more average play of late, with just an .895 Save Percentage over his last nine starts. With a red-hot visiting Minnesota club likely to generate some quality looks, Nashville will need Saros to find better form on Tuesday.
Wild vs. Predators Pick
The Wild's roster composition suggests it should be the better team, and they have surely played that way recently over this dominant 10-game stretch.
The Wild should have a strong edge in goal with quality play from Talbot and Fleury while Saros hasn't been playing at an elite level.
This is a bigger spot for the Preds, who are far more desperate for points, but that angle is not enough for me to look off a better Minnesota team in the midst of some tremendous play.
I definitely recommend getting the money in now on Minnesota, as I expect the public to hammer the Wild here as lines have already started to shift in that direction. Play the Wild to win this one down to -130 as it will likely get hammered down to that.
Pick: Minnesota Wild -115
