Two of the league’s most penalized teams are set to square off at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, as the Minnesota Wild (11-9-2) host the Anaheim Ducks (6-16-2). Anaheim is coming off a 5-0 loss against the Stars on Thursday, their fourth straight defeat. The Ducks committed five penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Anthony Stolarz only had 36 saves on 41 shots against (.878%) in the loss.
Minnesota is wrapping up a seven-game homestand after an exciting 5-3 win over the Oilers on Thursday. Five players found the net for the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Marc-Andre Fleury surrendered three goals on 21 shots (.857%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Wild won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-1 victory in November, their 11th straight win against Anaheim. Kaprizov led Minnesota with two goals. Pavol Regenda scored Anaheim’s only goal. Filip Gustavsson got the win, saving 31 of 32 shots (.968%).
FACING OFF
Anaheim is averaging 2.38 goals per game for the season, 31st in the NHL, and they are taking on a Wild team that is allowing 2.91 goals a game (11th). Meanwhile, Minnesota has found the net 3.00 times a game on average, 19th in the league, and the Ducks are allowing opponents to score a league-worst 4.17 goals per game. Power play opportunities between the teams ought to be plentiful, as the Ducks and Wild have more penalties per game than most teams in the NHL.
The Wild have been penalized 4.91 times a game on average (29th), while the Ducks are averaging 5.00 penalties, third-most in the league. The Ducks’ 14.49% power play percentage is the second-lowest in the league, while the Wild rank ninth with a conversion rate of 25.35%. Anaheim has been equally unimpressive at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s lowest PK% at 65.52%. Minnesota’s 81.69% ranks ninth in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 24 points this season, Troy Terry is the top skater for the Ducks. He has 10 goals and 14 assists in 24 games. In the net, Stolarz (2-3-0) is Anaheim’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.75 GAA and a .890% save percentage. John Gibson (4-12-2) leads the Ducks in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 3.99 and a save percentage of .894%.Kaprizov leads the Wild in scoring with 30 points. He has 14 goals (8th) and 16 assists in 22 games. Gustavsson (3-4-1) has the best goals against average for Minnesota at 2.62.
He has a save percentage of .914%. Fleury (7-5-1) has played the most games in net for the Wild this season. He has a 2.91 GAA and a .901% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Anaheim is looking to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat on the road this season. Minnesota is 6-6-1 at Xcel Energy Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Minnesota Wild -1.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
