The Xcel Energy Center is the site for an East-West showdown as the Detroit Red Wings take the ice against the Minnesota Wild. It’s the last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. NBC Sports Network will air the game, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 4.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 0.2 units, Minnesota is 36-29 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to the 49-33 record the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Among the team’s 65 games this season, 34 have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 22-11 SU at home.
The Wild have converted on 20.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Wild have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their past five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 27.3 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (28-18-5) has been the top option in goal for Minnesota this year. If the Wild, however, choose to give him the night off, Minnesota could turn to Alex Stalock (9-16-16 record, .912 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average).
The Wild will continue seeking leadership from Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund. Staal (64 points) has put up 33 goals and 31 assists and has recorded multiple points in 16 different games this year. Granlund has 19 goals and 35 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 32 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Detroit is 26-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 64 regular season contests, 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Red Wings are 13-17 SU as a road team this season.
The Red Wings have converted on 18.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.5 percent of all penalties.
Detroit’s players have been called for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their past five games. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (.912 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 26.8 saves per game and owns an 18-30-7 record.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will run through Dylan Larkin (nine goals, 38 assists) and Henrik Zetterberg (nine goals, 34 assists).
Detroit Red Wings at Minnesota Wild Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Minnesota is 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 4-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Minnesota’s last five outings.
Minnesota’s attempted 30.3 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 27th in the NHL), and 35.0 in their last five home outings.
