NHL Bet of the Week
NHL Playoff Race
With the NHL playoff race nearing closer, teams are starting to become more predictable in their play, and for this weekend, the Minnesota Wild -110 is the lock of the week. The Wild are coming off back-to-back losses, the first being a shootout loss at home to the Florida Panthers.
The second, losing 3-2 in regulation to the Colorado Avalanche. The Wild dominated play against the Avalanche, shooting them 43-19 and winning the faceoff advantage 30-22.
The Wild play the Dallas Stars at home on Friday at 8:00 pm EST. Don’t expect the Wild to lose three consecutive home games when they have one of the best home-ice advantages in the NHL.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have had a top-10 attendance in the league for the last 10 seasons. Not to mention that the Wild are very much competing for the playoffs and will be itching to get back into the win column.
The past history of the Dallas Stars being the Minnesota North Stars is definitely on the fan’s minds, as the Stars would win the Stanley Cup just after relocating from Minnesota.
The Wild have also recently been linked to interest in Patrick Kane, showing they are definitely in the playoff race as buyers and are not looking to take them. With the odds being -110 for the moneyline, you are almost making even money, which is too good to pass up.
A top 10 penalty kill unit headlines the style of play the Wild have chosen to play this year after losing 80-point scorer Kevin Fiala to the Los Angeles Kings. The Wild’s scoring has been dominated by the top two lines with low production from the bottom lines, but being at home will give the energy needed to the bottom lines.
I expect two goals from the third and fourth lines Friday night and a rebound performance from the Wild defense that did not look good against the Avalanche. The Wild are also looking to avoid losing the season series to a Central Rival who currently sits atop the Central division.
The Stars do have more rest heading into this game, but after a brutal home overtime loss to the best team in hockey, the Boston Bruins, another letdown game seems to be in the cards.
The Wild are currently tied with the Calgary Flames for the last wild card spot and can’t afford to let any more points slip away. The team knows this and will also have another home game on Sunday, capping off a home stretch that has been underwhelming, to say the least.
This game is the start of the turnaround for this home stretch, and expect the Xcel Energy Center to be louder than ever on Friday night.
