The Chicago Blackhawks will play the Minnesota Wild on Sunday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Chicago has dropped three of their last four games, while Minnesota has won two games in a row. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Blackhawks vs Wild prediction.
Blackhawks Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks are 7-15-0 this year after they lost to Winnipeg by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Chicago led 1-0 early in the first period, but they couldn’t find the back of the net for the rest of the game. The Blackhawks were out shot by a total of 28-21 and went 0-2 on the power play in the loss. Chicago’s only win in their last four games was against Seattle by a score of 4-3. The Blackhawks are scoring 2.57 goals per game and they are allowing 3.71 goals against per game, while going 10.3% on the power play and 76.8% on the penalty kill. Connor Bedard has led Chicago with 11 goals, eight assists, and 68 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Petr Mrazek, who is 5-7-0 this season with a 3.37 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.
More College Basketball Picks: Sharks vs Rangers Prediction!
Wild Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 7-10-4 this season after they defeated Nashville by a score of 6-1 in their last game. Minnesota scored the first five goals in this game and was able to coast to the victory. The Wild out shot Nashville by a total of 31-27 and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Minnesota defeated the Blues by a score of 3-1 in the game prior to Nashville, but they did lose the previous seven games. The Wild are scoring 3.10 goals per game and they are allowing 3.67 goals against per game, while going 16.5% on the power play and 70.1% on the penalty kill. Mats Zuccarello has led the Wild with five goals, 18 assists, and 60 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Marc-Andre Fleury, who is 3-4-2 this year with a 3.46 goals against average and a .875 save percentage.
Minnesota Wild Team Facts
- The Wild have won each of their last nine games at Xcel Energy Center against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games following a road win.
- The Wild have won the third period in each of their last five day games at Xcel Energy Center against opponents on a losing streak.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Wild's last nine day games at Xcel Energy Center.
Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last nine day games against Central Division opponents.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 11 games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The Blackhawks have lost the third period in five of their last six games following a road loss.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Blackhawks' last six games as underdogs.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in eight of his last nine appearances in day games at Xcel Energy Center.
- Joel Eriksson Ek has recorded at least one point in eight of his last nine appearances with the Wild as home favorites.
- Mats Zuccarello has recorded an assist in each of the Wild's last six games.
- Mats Zuccarello has the equal-most multi-assist games for the Wild this season (2).
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Seth Jones has recorded a point in six of his last seven appearances at Xcel Energy Center.
- Philipp Kurashev has the most multi-assist games for the Blackhawks this season (2).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Minnesota Wild ranks 32nd in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (1.43).
- The Minnesota Wild ranks T30th in the league for power play goals against this season (23).
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.68).
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 31st in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (1.41).
Blackhawks vs Wild Betting Prediction
The Wild were playing like one of the worst teams in the NHL, but they fired their coach and they have now won two games in a row. Minnesota has out scored Nashville and St. Louis by a total of 9-2, while Chicago has been out scored 8-2 in their last two games. The Blackhawks are only 4-9-0 on the road, while Minnesota is 4-4-2 at home. The Wild seem to be much more focused in their last two games and they are playing some of their best hockey right now. Take Minnesota -1.5 here.
AUTHOR: David Racey
