A couple of teams that’ve positioned themselves squarely in the playoff hunt, the Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators take the ice at Bridgestone Arena for a Central Division showdown. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 30, and it can be watched live on Fox Sports North.
Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators Odds
Nashville is 22-15 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league in this young season, is an improvement over the 41-41 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of the team’s 37 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 11-6 SU at home this year.
The Predators enter the matchup with the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has scored on 25.0 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Predators have been penalized 5.5 times per game overall this season, 5.2 per game over their last five outings total, and 5.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to stave off opposition power plays for a whopping 15.8 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 29.4 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (19 wins, 10 losses, and three OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville this year. Rinne did just play last night, however, so Nashville may opt to give him a rest and go with Juuse Saros instead (3-6-6 record, .918 save percentage, 2.64 goals against average).
Filip Forsberg and Kyle Turris will each spearhead the attack for the Predators. Forsberg (34 points) has tallied 15 goals and 19 assists and has recorded multiple points eight times this year. Turris has eight goals and 19 assists to his name and has notched a point in 17 contests.
Minnesota is 20-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 19 of its matches have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Wild are 8-12 SU as the away team this season.
The Wild have converted on 19.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Minnesota’s skaters have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 5.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays 11.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Devan Dubnyk (28.4 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for Minnesota. Dubnyk owns a 14-10-2 record, while registering a .918 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Wild will be Eric Staal (15 goals, 18 assists) and Jason Zucker (15 goals, 12 assists).
Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Nashville’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 3-4 overall in shootouts this season.
The under has hit in three of Nashville’s last five games.
Minnesota has managed 29.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Nashville has been attempting 33.4 shots per game over its last five at home.
