Minnesota Wild (20-8-4) vs Utah Hockey Club (15-11-5)
Game Info: Friday, December 20, 2024 at 8:00 pm (Xcel Energy Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Minnesota Wild -150 / Utah Hockey Club +125 — Over/Under: 6
In this article, we will formulate a Utah Hockey Club vs Minnesota Wild prediction for this NHL game on Friday, December 20th at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Utah Hockey Club Betting Preview
The Utah Hockey Club is 15-11-5 this year after they defeated Vancouver in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Utah trailed 2-0 in the third period, but they were able to tie the game late and get the win in overtime. The Hockey Club outshot Vancouver by a total of 31-26, won 42.6% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Utah got goals from Guenther, Keller, and Sergachev, while Vejmelka stopped 24 out of 26 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Hockey Club defeated the Sharks by a score of 4-3 and the Avalanche by a score of 4-1. Utah has scored 3.03 goals per game and they have allowed 2.87 goals against per game, while also going 21.6% on the power play and 78.2% on the penalty kill this season. Dylan Guenther has led Utah with 14 goals, 16 assists, and 78 shots on goal, while Karel Vejmelka is 7-7-2 with a 2.37 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this year.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 20-8-4 this season after they lost to Florida by a score of 6-1 in their last game. Minnesota tied the game at one in the first period, but they allowed the last five goals in the game for the loss. The Wild were outshot by a total of 33-27, won 46.6% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got their lone goal from Rossi, while Fleury stopped 27 out of 33 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Wild lost to Vegas by a score of 3-2 but did beat Philadelphia by a score of 4-1 before that. Minnesota has scored 3.06 goals per game and they have allowed 2.63 goals against per game, while also going 19.8% on the power play and 70.1% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 22 goals, 26 assists, and 107 shots on goal, while Marc-Andre Fleury is 6-2-1 with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage this year.
Why the Hockey Club will beat the Wild
- Utah has won each of its last six road games.
- The Wild have lost each of their last three night games at Xcel Energy Center.
- Utah has covered the puck line in each of its last eight games as an underdog.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The Wild have lost the third period in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Wild’s last five games as home favorites following a loss has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of Utah’s last four road games after coming off overtime has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Three of the last four games between two teams from the Central Division have gone UNDER the total goal line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of Utah’s last seven games as an underdog.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in five of the Wild’s last six night games at Xcel Energy Center.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Wild’s last 10 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in each of the Wild’s last four games as favorites.
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one point in each of the Wild’s last 11 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Utah Hockey Club Player Prop Facts
- Kevin Stenlund has scored a goal in each of Utah’s last three games as an underdog.
- Dylan Guenther has recorded at least one point in each of Utah’s last eight road games.
- Dylan Guenther has recorded an assist in seven of Utah’s last eight road games.
Utah Hockey Club vs Minnesota Wild Prediction
Utah comes into this game with plenty of momentum after winning five of their last six games, but they will be on the road here. The Hockey Club are 10-6-2 on the road this year, while the Wild are 8-6-1 at home. Minnesota has lost three of their last four games and they just allowed six goals in their last game. Both of these teams have been very good defensively this season, but I really like how Utah is playing at the moment. Take the Hockey Club to get a big win here.