The Minnesota Wild drop the puck on their season against the New York Rangers (1-0-0) on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center. New York is coming off a 3-1 win over the Lightning on Tuesday. The Rangers committed six penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Mika Zibanejad led the Rangers with two goals. Igor Shesterkin saved 25 of 26 (.962%) in the win.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Wild won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-2 victory in their final meeting in March. Marcus Foligno led Minnesota with three points (1G 2A). Cam Talbot got the win, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920%).
FACING OFF
New York averaged 3.05 goals per game last season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Wild team that allowed 3.04 goals a game (16th). Meanwhile, Minnesota found the net 3.72 times a game on average, fifth in the league, and will be looking to overpower the Rangers’ stout defense, which held opponents to 2.49 goals per game (2nd).The Rangers were one of the league’s best power play teams (4th), converting 25.23% of their opportunities, while Minnesota’s 76.14% penalty kill percentage ranked 25th. The Wild scored on 20.54% of their power play chances (18th). New York’s PK% of 82.30 ranked No. 7.
LAST SEASON’S TOP PERFORMERS:
With 96 points last season, Artemi Panarin was the top skater for the Rangers. He was among the league leaders with 74 assists (4th) and added 22 goals of his own. Shesterkin (36-13-4) was New York’s top goaltender by goals against average. He had a 2.07 GAA, best in the league, and a .935% save percentage, also best. Kirill Kaprizov led the Wild in scoring a season ago with 108 points (5th in the league). His 47 goals were the fifth-best total in the league. He also had 61 assists. Talbot, now with the Senators, had the best goals against average for Minnesota at 2.76. He went 32-12-4 and had a save percentage of .911%.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Minnesota Wild (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
