A pair of teams trending in opposite directions square off at Xcel Energy Center on Friday as the Minnesota Wild (-410) will be out to add to their winning run when they host the faltering Chicago Blackhawks (+315).
The total is 6 (O: -110, U: -110)Chicago (7-17-4) is playing on back-to-back days after suffering a 4-1 loss against the Golden Knights yesterday, their fifth defeat in a row. The Blackhawks committed only one penalty in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Taylor Raddysh was the only player to find the net for the Blackhawks.
Arvid Soderblom only had 21 saves on 24 shots against (.875%) in the loss. Minnesota (16-11-2) won their third in a row, beating the Red Wings 4-1 on Wednesday. Frederick Gaudreau scored twice to lead the Wild. Filip Gustavsson was impressive in the win, making 16 saves (.941%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Wild won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-3 (SO) victory in October, their sixth straight win against Chicago. Matt Boldy (2G 0A) and Mason Shaw (1G 1A) each had two points to lead Minnesota. Jarred Tinordi led Chicago with two points (0G 2A). Marc-Andre Fleury got the win despite allowing three goals on 26 shots (.884%).
FACING OFF
Chicago is averaging 2.36 goals per game for the season, 31st in the NHL, and they are taking on a Wild team that is allowing 2.93 goals a game (14th).
Meanwhile, Minnesota has found the net 3.07 times a game on average, 17th in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.68 goals per game (28th).Chicago averages fewer shots a game (25.7) than any other team in the league.
Minnesota’s average of 31.5 attempts ranks 16th.Don’t be surprised to see a few power play opportunities for the Blackhawks, as the Wild have been penalized 4.79 times a game, third-most in the NHL, for an average of 12.72 minutes (first-highest). The visitors are averaging 4.07 penalties (15th) and 10.50 penalty minutes a game (12th).
The Wild’s 25.26% power play percentage ranks eighth in the league, while the Blackhawks are 14th with a conversion rate of 22.99%. When it comes to penalty killing, Minnesota has the league’s 14th-ranked PK% at 79.59%, while Chicago is 26th at 72.53%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Patrick Kane and Max Domi have been the top skaters for the Blackhawks this season with 21 and 20 points. In the net, Soderblom (2-8-2) is Chicago’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.18 GAA and a .906% save percentage.
Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild in scoring with 36 points. He has 17 goals (10th) and 19 assists. Gustavsson (6-4-1) has the best goals against average for Minnesota at 2.33, fourth-best in the league.
He has a save percentage of .921%. Fleury (10-7-1) has played the most games in net for the Wild this season. He has a 3.05 GAA and a .895% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 3-7-2 away from home this season. Minnesota has won five straight at Xcel Energy Center this season. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are 0-4 without a day off and 0-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Wild are 2-0 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Minnesota Wild -2.5 (+120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
