The Xcel Energy Center will play host to an enticing clash as the Minnesota Wild face off against the visiting Vancouver Canucks. This Western Conference matchup will get started at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 6, and it’s being shown live on Sportsnet Pacific.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
Minnesota (-120) is currently favored over Vancouver (+100), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-120 for the under, +100 for the over).
Vancouver is 30-24 straight up (SU) and has netted 6.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. 27 of its contests have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just three have pushed. This 2019-20 Canucks team is 13-16 SU on the road.
Vancouver has converted on 22.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.6 percent of its penalties.
Vancouver, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over its last five contests total, and 3.2 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 29.7 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (20-17-3) has been the top option in goal for Vancouver this season. If Vancouver chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Thatcher Demko (10-8-2 record, .909 save percentage, 2.92 goals against average).
Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Canucks. Pettersson (55 points) is up to 23 goals and 32 assists, and has recorded two or more points 15 times. Miller has 20 goals and 33 assists to his credit (and has notched a point in 35 games).
On the other side of the ice, Minnesota is 24-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 25 of its outings have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just five have pushed. The team’s 15-11 SU at home this season.
Minnesota has converted on 20.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.0 percent of all penalties.
Minnesota players have been penalized 3.5 times per game this season, 3.4 per game over their last five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Alex Stalock (25.4 saves per game) has been the top choice in the crease for Minnesota. Stalock has 13 wins, 13 losses, and three OT losses to his name and has maintained a subpar .904 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average this year.
The Wild offense will be led by Eric Staal (17 goals, 22 assists).
Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these clubs, the game went over the total in three of their past five outings.
- The Wild are 8-11 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Canucks are 10-7 SU in games where they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- Minnesota is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 3-2 in shootouts.
- Minnesota has averaged 5.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.8 takeaways per game (ranked 22nd in the league).
- Vancouver has averaged 7.6 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 6.9 takeaways per game (ranked 19th overall).
