The Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche meet in Game 2 of the NHL Western Conference semifinals tonight. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. EDT at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Avalanche are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-105o / -115u). The Avalanche are a -199 favorite to win outright, while the Wild are +164 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Wild vs. Avalanche predictions and NHL picks.
Wild vs. Avalanche Odds, Pick
| Wild Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -145 | 6.5 -105o / -115u | +164 |
| Avalanche Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +120 | 6.5 -105o / -115u | -199 |
- Wild vs. Avalanche Spread: Avalanche -1.5 (+120 ), Wild +1.5 (-145)
- Wild vs. Avalanche Over/Under: 6.5 (-105o / -115u)
- Wild vs. Avalanche Moneyline: Wild +164, Avalanche -199
Wild vs Avalanche Polymarket Odds
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Wild vs. Avalanche Preview
Minnesota Wild
These teams combined for 17 total goals in Game 1 of this series. However, that level of offensive output is unlikely to continue.
The Minnesota Wild's defense is stronger than it showed in Game 1. During the regular season, the Wild ranked eighth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and fourth in goals allowed per game.
It remains unclear whether Minnesota will start Jesper Wallstedt or Filip Gustavsson in Game 2, but both are capable of delivering a solid performance. Although Wallstedt allowed eight goals in Game 1, he has allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of his past 13 starts.
He is 8-5 over that stretch with a .916 save percentage and a 2.40 goals-against average. Meanwhile, Gustavsson finished the regular season with a .904 save percentage and a 2.69 goals-against average.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are expected to return to Scott Wedgewood in Game 2. Like Wallstedt, he struggled in Game 1 but has been reliable overall.
Wedgewood has not lost a start in nearly two months. Over that stretch, he has posted a .939 save percentage and a 1.55 goals-against average.
While Colorado is known for its offensive production, it is also strong defensively. The Avalanche finished first in goals allowed per game and fourth in xGA/60 this season.
Wild vs. Avalanche Prediction
Game 1 showed that both offenses are capable of producing high-scoring results. However, 17 total goals is a clear outlier for a playoff game, and regression is likely.
Both teams feature strong defensive structures despite the Game 1 result. There were six or fewer total goals scored in each of Colorado’s four games in the first round, while the same was true in three of Minnesota’s final five games of the previous round.
Pick: Under 6.5 (+100 at Polymarket | Play to -110)
