Two teams squaring off for the zeroth time this year, the Montreal Canadiens and the Minnesota Wild take the ice at the Xcel Energy Center for an East-West showdown. Reseau Des Sports will air the matchup, and the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 2.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
Montreal (+130) is entering this one as the underdog to Minnesota (-150), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Earning -3.5 units for moneyline bettors, Minnesota is 4-6 straight up (SU) thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a big slide from what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (49-33). Through 10 regular season outings, six of the team’s games have gone over the total, while three have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 2-3 SU at home thus far.
The Wild have converted on 17.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.5 percent of all penalties.
The Wild, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.4 times per game this season. Last year, they posted the fifth-lowest figure in the league with 3.4 penalties per game. After serving an average of 8.1 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to kill penalties for 9.1 minutes per outing this year.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .905 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (three wins, four losses, and one OT loss) has been the top goalkeeper for Minnesota this season. If the Wild choose to rest him, however, Minnesota could turn to Alex Stalock (1-2-2 record, .918 save percentage, 2.64 goals against average).
Chris Stewart and Eric Staal will each lead the offensive attack for the Wild. Stewart (eight points) has tallied six goals and two assists and has recorded multiple points two times this year. Staal has four goals and four assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in five games.
Similar to Minnesota, Montreal hasn’t put its record to good use for bettors. The team has lost 5.1 units for moneyline bettors this year, even though it’s posted a 4-8 straight up (SU) record. A total of eight of its matches have gone over the total, while three have gone under and just one has pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Canadiens are 2-5 SU.
The Canadiens have converted on just 13.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 76.2 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 4.2 times per game this season, a number that’s up a bit from the 3.8 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 9.3 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 9.3 minutes per matchup this season.
Carey Price (3.64 goals against average and .883 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 25.7 saves per game and has three wins, seven losses, and one OT loss to his credit.
Shea Weber (three goals, six assists) has been one of the most vital playmaking threats for the visiting Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Wild are 3-3 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Canadiens are 1-2 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- The under has hit in three of Minnesota’s last five outings.
