The Wild and Predators are set to face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Predators will host the game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. The over/under for this Central division contest is set at 6 goals, with the Predators being favored by -1.5 at home against the Wild.

MINNESOTA WILD VS NASHVILLE PREDATORS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Nashville Predators -1.5

This game will be played at Bridgestone Arena at 8:00 ET on Thursday, February 29th.

WHY BET THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS:

  • Despite being 1.5 goal underdogs, we predict the Wild to come out on top with a final score of 4-3.
  • We like the Wild on the moneyline (-105)
  • The Wild are also our pick on the spread at +1.5

Do the Wild Have a Shot at a Win at Nashville?

On the season, the Wild have a record of 28-25-6, which puts them in 6th place in the Central Division and 11th in the Western Conference. In road games, Minnesota is 14-13-2, and they have won two straight games away from home. Over their last ten games, the Wild have a record of 7-3.

When playing against other Western Conference teams, Minnesota has gone 14-14 this season. As the underdog, they are 12-19-3. In their last three games, the Wild have gone 2-1, while over their last five, they have a record of 3-2.

Minnesota has a puck line record of 32-27 this year, including going 7-3 in their last ten games. So far, they have 19 wins by multiple goals, and their average scoring differential on the road is -.1 goals per game. As the underdog, the Wild’s puck line record is at 22-12.

On the road, Minnesota’s puck line record is 17-12, and they have covered the puck line in two straight games as the road team. In their last ten road games, the Wild’s puck line record is 6-4, and they have 15 losses by one goal this year.

For the season, Minnesota’s games have finished with an average of 6.5 goals per game. Their average over/under line for the season is 6.2. Overall, the Wild have an over/under record of 28-27-4.

Minnesota has played well in their previous three road games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 4 goals per game while allowing 3. The team also performed well vs the puck line at 2-1.

The Wild come into the game scoring an average of 3.1 goals per game, putting them 17th in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 19th in the league. In terms of power play goals, the Wild offense is 9th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they are 27th in the NHL.

Minnesota will be looking for a good game from Joel Eriksson Ek who leads the team in scoring with 28 goals, ranking 20th in the NHL. Eriksson Ek also comes into the game with 26 assists.

Nashville defense takes on the Wild ranked 14th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are averaging 30.2 shots per game against Nashville. They also are 21st in shutouts, with 2 shutouts.

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury gets the start and has made 24 starts this season. His record at this point is 12-10, and his save percentage is 0.654%.

Can Nashville Secure a Home Victory?

At home this season, the Predators have gone 15-15-0 and have won four straight games when favored. In the Western Conference standings, Nashville is in eighth place and has an overall record of 33-25-2. Over their last ten games, the Predators have gone 7-3.

For the season, Nashville has been favored in 24 of their 60 games and have gone 15-9-0 in those games. Over their last five games, the Predators have won all five games and have won six straight games overall.

At home this season, the Predators have gone 14-16 against the puck line and 33-27 overall. They have an average scoring margin of -.3 goals per game at home and have gone 6-4 vs. the puck line in their last 10 games.

So far, Nashville has been favored in 24 games and has gone 10-14 against the puck line in those games. Overall, the Predators have 19 wins by multiple goals and have gone 5-0 against the puck line in their last five games.

For the season, Nashville’s games have finished with an average of 6.3 goals per game. Their average over/under line for the season is 6.2. Overall, the Predators have an over/under record of 26-28-6.

When looking at their past three road matchups, Minnesota has an puck line record of 2-1 while averaging 4 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.

The Predators come into the game scoring an average of 3.1 goals per game, putting them 15th in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 11th in the league. This season, the Predators are 17-13 when getting more shots on goal than their opponents. And in games with fewer shots on goal, they have a 15-12 record.

Nashville’s current leading scorer is Filip Forsberg. This season, he has 28 goals, which puts him 19th in the NHL. In addition to his goal scoring, Forsberg has 32 assists this season.

The Predators defense is currently 14th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 30.2 shots per game against Nashville. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 21st with 2 shutouts.

Goalie Juuse Saros comes into the game having made 47 starts this season. So far, his record is 24-21 and he has a save percentage of 0.972%.