Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild Best Bets and Prediction

The Minnesota Wild return home winless from a two-game road trip after the All-Star break and will play on back-to-back nights. The Vegas Golden Knights have been struggling recently but did end a losing streak by winning their only game since the break. 

We’ll review the stats, trends, and odds to make our Golden Knights vs Wild prediction and NHL picks for tonight’s sports betting ticket.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild Odds

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild Matchup Information

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild

Location: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9th, 2023, 8:00 PM ET

Recent Scores for Last Game

This is the first matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild on the NHL schedule this season. In 2021-22, Vegas took the season series 2-1, with both NHL teams averaging 3.00 goals per game across the three games.

As for the most recent NHL games, the Golden Knights snapped a four-game losing streak, defeating the Nashville Predators 5-1 on February 7th. 

Minnesota played last night in Dallas, losing to the Stars 4-1.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild Analysis

The Vegas Golden Knights have been atop the Pacific Division NHL standings for most of the season and currently have a one-point lead over the Seattle Kraken. The Golden Knights ended a four-game losing streak in their last game but have been struggling overall, posting a 3-7 straight-up record over the previous ten games. 

Vegas has a 2-7-1 over/under record in the previous ten games. The under is 3-0-1 in Vegas’ previous four games against the Central Division and 8-0-1 in the last nine road games.

Vegas is ranked 17th in the NHL, averaging 3.12 goals per game, while having the 12th-ranked powerplay, converting at 23.0%.

Defensively, the Golden Knights are ranked 11th, giving up 2.8 goals per game, while having the 16th-ranked powerplay, operating at 79.5%.

There is an unexpected leader in the Vegas Golden Knights stats, as Chandler Stephenson leads the squad with 46 points (12 goals, 34 assists). Reilly Smith leads the Golden Knights with 18 goals. 

These unexpected points leaders are evidence of Jack Eichel’s ice-cold run recently and the impact of the NHL injury report on the Golden Knights roster. The biggest name on this list is right-winger Mark Stone, who is out indefinitely with a back injury, which hurts Vegas’ offensive capabilities on a nightly basis. 

We expect Logan Thompson to get the start of the Golden Knights in Minnesota on Thursday night. Although his Calder Trophy candidacy isn’t as strong as it once was, Thompson has a 19-13-3 record, with a 2.69 GAA and a .913 SV%.

If you have checked the recent Minnesota Wild scores, you’ll know the Wild have lost the first two games since the All-star break, losing to Arizona and Dallas. The Wild have lost three of the last five games and have a 5-5 straight-up record in the previous ten games. 

Minnesota has hit the under five straight games and has a 2-7-1 over/under record in the last ten games. The under is 4-0 in the Wild’s last four games against the Western Conference and 9-1-1 in the last 11 games in the State of Hockey.

Offensively, Minnesota is ranked 22nd in the NHL, averaging 3.0 goals per game, but has a reasonably potent powerplay, ranked 11th and converting at 23.8%.

Defensively, the Wild keep things tight, giving them a chance to win most nights. Minnesota is ranked 12th, giving up 2.9 goals per game, while having the 14th-ranked penalty kill, operating at 79.9%.

Unsurprisingly, Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild in NHL player stats with 61 points (28 goals, 33 assists). Kaprizov has five points in the last five games for Minnesota, while Joel Eriksson Ek has three goals in the last five for the Wild.

Defenseman Jonas Brodin is the only name on the Wild’s NHL injury report and is listed as day-to-day.

Odds Breakdown

Before making our Golden Knights vs Wild prediction, we need to know where the betting lines have set the NHL odds and each team’s betting records this season.

Vegas Golden Knights

Moneyline: The Golden Knights are the slight moneyline underdog, with odds between +105 and -104. Vegas has a 30-22 record straight-up. 

Spread: Vegas is listed at +1.5 goals on the puck line spread, with odds from -250 to -300. The Golden Knights have a 24-28 ats record.

Over/Under: The total goals line for this game is listed at 5.5 or 6.0 total goals depending on your online sports book over choice. With a total goals line of 5.5, the over is listed between -120 and -122, while the under is listed at +100. Vegas has a 20-28-4 over/under record. 

Minnesota Wild

Moneyline: The Minnesota Wild are the moneyline favorite, with odds from -115 to -125. Minnesota has a 27-23 straight-up record. 

Spread: The Wild are listed at -1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds from +200 to +205. Minnesota has a 21-29 ats record.

Over/Under: With the total goals line listed at 6.0 goals, the over is listed between +102 and +105, while the under is listed between -122 and -125. The Wild have a 21-27-2 over/under record. 

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Pick and Prediction

With all the stats, trends, and odds in mind, it’s time to make our Golden Knights vs Wild prediction. Before we make these predictions, you need to know that the home team is 5-0 in the last five meetings, while the under is 4-1 in the last five head-to-head matchups in Minnesota.

The first Golden Knights vs Wild prediction is to take the under. Neither team is known for their offensive prowess and hits the under far more often. With the recent performances, over/under records, and betting trends all screaming to take the under, we’re going to take the under, but we’re going to take the under of either 5.5 or 6.0. 

Our second Golden Knights vs Wild prediction is to take the Minnesota Wild to get the home win and end their two-game losing streak. Vegas’ struggles, Eichel’s recent play, and the injury to Stone could send the Golden Knights spiraling down the NHL standings, while Minnesota is mostly healthy and will be a playoff team. 

Take the Wild on the moneyline. 

Since we’re taking a Wild win on the moneyline and the under of 5.5, we don’t have much choice but to take Vegas +1.5 on the puck line spread. We see these teams combining for five total goals at most with a 3-2 Minnesota Win tonight. Take VGK +1.5, although that’s a pick we can take or leave. 
NHL Picks: Under, Minnesota Wild ML, Vegas Golden Knights +1.5

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