The Minnesota Wild (12-7-4) and Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-4) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. EST at United Center in Chicago, Ill. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Wild are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at six (-105 / -115). The Wild are a -142 favorite to win outright, while the Blackhawks are +118 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Wild vs. Blackhawks predictions and NHL picks.
Wild vs. Blackhawks Odds, Pick
| Wild Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +195 | 5.5 -125o / 105u | -140 |
| Blackhawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -240 | 5.5 -125o / 105u | +120 |
- Wild vs. Blackhawks Spread: Wild -1.5 (+176), Blackhawks +1.5 (-220)
- Wild vs. Blackhawks Over/Under: 6 (-105 / -115)
- Wild vs. Blackhawks Moneyline: Wild -142, Blackhawks +118
Wild vs. Blackhawks Preview
Minnesota Wild
The biggest storyline of Minnesota’s season thus far has been the play of its two goaltenders, Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt. They are now alternating every game, meaning Gustavsson is likely to get the nod Wednesday.
Entering this matchup in strong form, Gustavsson has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his past three starts. He is 2-0-1 with a .935 save percentage and a 1.28 goals-against average over that stretch.
There were five or fewer total goals scored in each of those three outings.
Low-scoring games have been a trend for the Wild this season, not only because of their elite goaltending but also due to their strong defensive play and inability to score. Minnesota ranks 24th in goals per game, a product of its struggles to generate high-danger chances.
This season, the Wild rank 22nd in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
They have been much more efficient in the defensive zone, ranking 11th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Chicago Blackhawks
Similar to Minnesota, Chicago’s greatest strength this season (outside of the play of Connor Bedard) has been its goaltending. Spencer Knight is making a strong case to serve as one of the United States’ backup netminders at the Olympics, considering he has been one of the best goaltenders in the league this season.
Knight ranks second in save percentage and seventh in goals-against average, and he leads all American goaltenders in both categories. Like Gustavsson, Knight enters this contest in strong form.
The Hawks’ netminder has allowed two or fewer goals in four of his past six starts, posting a .940 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average over that stretch. There were five or fewer total goals scored in four of those six games.
Wild vs. Blackhawks Prediction
This contest figures to be a goaltending battle, given that Gustavsson enters this matchup in strong form while Knight is a legitimate Vezina Trophy candidate. On top of the excellent goaltending, neither team ranks in the top half of the league in xGF/60.
Whenever these two divisional foes have squared off, goals have been difficult to come by. There have now been six or fewer total goals scored in nine of the past 10 meetings.
Pick: Under 6
