NHL Odds, Pick & Preview: Wild vs. Predators (April 24)

Wild vs. Predators Odds

We have a massive Central Division tilt as the second-place Minnesota Wild travel to Nashville to take on the fourth-place Predators. Both teams desperately need this win to keep their respective playoff positions in tact.

This is the fourth meeting between these two teams this season and the Predators have won all three of the previous matchups by at least three goals. Will the Predators take care of business once again, or can the Wild pull off the road victory as a short favorite?

Minnesota Wild: Will Road Struggles Continue?

The Minnesota Wild enter this contest in great form as they have won four straight games and seven of their past eight. However, I believe this is a good spot to sell high on Minnesota as it is not nearly as dominant on the road.

Of Minnesota's 28 losses this season, 19 have come away from home. On the road against Central Division opponents this season, the Wild are just 4-8.

Minnesota will also be without a few key players in this contest as Matt Dumba, Jordan Greenway, and Mats Zuccarello are all listed as out. Cam Talbot is the projected starting goaltender for the Wild and has been very inconsistent of late.

Talbot has allowed three or more goals in four of his past seven starts, posting a 0.905 save percentage over that stretch. Additionally, Talbot has done significantly worse against division opponents this year and is just 6-6 with a 0.889 save percentage.

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Nashville Predators: Value on Home Underdog

The Nashville Predators enter this matchup on the second half of a back-to-back as they took on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. I think we are getting value on Nashville in this game due to it being the second half of a back-to-back.

Nashville has been tremendous on home ice this season and is 44-28-5 at Bridgestone Arena. Against Central Division opponents, Nashville is 9-3 when defending home ice.

Over its past eight games as a home underdog Nashville is 5-3. The Predators will also be healthier than Minnesota in this contest, barring anything happening against Tampa Bay.

The goaltending situation is currently unclear as they are on the second half of a back-to-back and Juuse Saros is projected to get the start against Tampa Bay on Saturday night. However, Saros started two straight games last time the Predators had a back-to-back and could do the same once again.

Wild vs. Predators Pick

As a home underdog, I am going with the Predators in this matchup.

Bridgestone Arena is an incredibly difficult place to play as a road team, let alone as a divisional rival in a game with playoff implications.

Pick: Nashville Predators ML (+100) | Play up to (-110)