Free NHL Picks Today: Minnesota Wild vs Los Angeles Kings 10/15/22

The Minnesota Wild (0-1-0) host the Los Angeles Kings (0-2-0) at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday. The Wild are -165 favorites, and the total is 6.Los Angeles is embarking on a six-game road trip coming off a 4-1 loss against the Kraken on Thursday. The Kings committed nine penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Alex Iafallo scored the lone goal for the Kings. Jonathan Quick only had 18 saves on 21 shots against (.857%) in the loss. Minnesota fell 7-3 to the Rangers on Thursday. Matt Boldy was the leading goal scorer for the Wild, netting twice. Marc-Andre Fleury only had 28 saves on 35 shots against (.800%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Wild won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 6-3 victory in their final meeting in April. Jared Spurgeon (1G 1A), Boldy (1G 1A), and Jacob Middleton (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Minnesota. Fleury got the win, saving 31 of 34 shots (.911%).

FACING OFF

Los Angeles averaged 2.87 goals per game last season, 20th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Wild team that allowed 3.04 goals a game (18th). Meanwhile, Minnesota found the net 3.72 times a game on average, fifth in the league, and the Kings allowed opponents to score 2.83 goals per game (8th).The Kings scored on 16.13% of their power play opportunities (27th), while Minnesota’s 76.14% penalty kill percentage ranked 25th. The Wild converted 20.54% of their power play chances (18th). Los Angeles’ PK% of 76.55 ranked No. 22.

TOP PERFORMERS

Iafallo and Gabriel Vilardi are the top skaters for the Kings with two points each early this season. Both have one goal and one assist in two games. In the net, Quick (0-2-0) is Los Angeles’ top goaltender. He has a 3.59 GAA and a .903% save percentage.