Minnesota Wild vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Minnesota Wild face the Carolina Hurricanes with both teams heading in opposite directions this season. The Wild have a 19-21-5 record and with only three wins in their last 10 games, they have the second-worst record in the Central Division. The Hurricanes have a 25-14-5 record and with eight wins in their last 10 games, they have the third-best record in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams look to build off an impressive win and the upcoming game should be a good one as a result.
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Wild defense has let them down
The Wild are having a season to forget with their offense letting them down, scoring only 2.93 goals per game. Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, and Joel Eriksson Ek have scored 41 goals and 66 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five skaters have nine goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The fellas said WAKE UP POWER PLAY #mnwildpic.twitter.com/5fvG14ys1h
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 20, 2024
The offense has struggled but the defense has let the Wild down, allowing 3.40 goals per game with 11 goals in the last two games. Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin have combined for 4.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. Additionally, goaltender Filip Gustavsson has struggled with a .892 save percentage and a 3.36 goals-against average on 716 shots with -8.0 goals saved above average.
Hurricanes are led by a remarkable offense
The Hurricanes are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.43 goals per game with 15 goals in the last four games. Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov have scored 42 goals and 71 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Michael Bunting, Martin Necas, and Stefan Noesen have combined for 30 goals and 53 assists while defensemen Brent Burns and Brady Skjei have added 15 goals and 36 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
Heckuva welcome back for 88 �� pic.twitter.com/47C7XWDpN2
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 20, 2024
The offense has been great but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.98 goals per game. Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin have combined for 6.3 defensive point shares and 107 blocked shots while Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei have combined for 3.7 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. The hope is that goaltender Antti Raanta improves as he has a .867 save percentage and a 3.29 goals-against average on 428 shots with -15.7 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Hurricanes are having a great season and I see them taking over this game from the first period. The Hurricanes, who average 3.43 goals per game, should pile on the goals against the Wild, who allow 3.40 goals per game, with Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with cross-ice passes. The Hurricanes, who allow only 2.98 goals per game, should limit the Wild offense, which averages only 2.93 goals per game, with Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Antti Raanta to make plenty of big saves. The Hurricanes should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on their home ice.
Prediction: Hurricanes -1.5 (+120)
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Hurricanes are led by their offense and I see this game being a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Wild should create plenty of scoring chances with Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Hurricanes, who have scored 15 goals in their last four games, should run up the score against the Wild, who have allowed 11 goals in the last two games, with Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin pick apart the Wild defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 6.5
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