Facing each other for the third and final time this season, the Minnesota Wild and the Anaheim Ducks collide at the Honda Center for a Western Conference showdown. The match gets started at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 4, and it will be broadcasted live on Sportsnet 360.
Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks Odds
Minnesota is 44-35 straight up (SU) and has netted 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this year. 39 of its matches have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and just four have pushed. This 2017-18 Wild team is 17-21 SU on the road.
Minnesota has converted on 20.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.8 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Minnesota has been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .918 save percentage and 27.1 saves per game, Devan Dubnyk (35-23-7) has been the best option in goal for Minnesota this season. If Minnesota chooses to rest him, however, they might go with Alex Stalock (10-17-3 record, .913 save percentage, 2.76 goals against average).
Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Wild. Staal (74 points) is up to 40 goals and 34 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 17 different games. Granlund has 20 goals and 44 assists to his credit, and has notched at least one point in 41 games.
Anaheim is 41-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 79 regular season outings, 47 of its games have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the team’s 24-15 SU at home.
Anaheim has converted on just 17.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim players have been called for penalties 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their past five outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
John Gibson has denied 28.9 shots per game as the top selection in goal for Anaheim. Gibson has 33 wins, 27 losses, and eight overtime losses to his credit and has recorded a .926 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average this season.
Rickard Rakell (32 goals, 34 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the Ducks.
Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The total has gone under in three of Anaheim’s last five games.
Minnesota has managed 30.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Anaheim is averaging 36.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
The Wild are 20-14 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Ducks are 28-16 SU in games where they serve more minutes than their opponent.
Anaheim is 4-7 in games decided by a shootout this season while Minnesota is 3-3 in shootouts.
Anaheim skaters have forced 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 5.9 takeaways per game (ranked 26th).
Minnesota has created 6.6 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 5.9 takeaways per game (ranked 26th).
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