The Xcel Energy Center will be the site for an East-West clash as the Florida Panthers come into town to face the Minnesota Wild. It’s the final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The first puck will drop at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 2, and it’s being shown live on Fox Sports North.
Florida Panthers vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
With a moneyline of -135, Minnesota enters the game as the favorite. The line for Florida sits at +115, and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-125 money on the under, +105 on the over).
Losing -1.6 units for moneyline bettors, Minnesota is 20-19 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 49-33 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 39 regular season outings, 20 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 12-6 SU at home.
The Wild have converted on 19.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated seventh overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.7 percent of all penalties.
The Wild, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, 4.6 per game over their last five contests total, and 4.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 9.4 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
With a .918 save percentage and 28.4 saves per game, Devan Dubnyk (14-10-2) has been the best option in goal for the Wild this year. If the Wild, however, decide to give him a breather, the team might turn to Alex Stalock (7-10-10 record, .916 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average).
Eric Staal and Jason Zucker will each be focal points for the Wild. Staal (33 points) has tallied 15 goals and 18 assists and has recorded multiple points on eight separate occasions this year. Zucker has 15 goals and 12 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 19 games.
Over on the other bench, Florida is 17-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 38 regular season contests, 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and none have pushed. As an away team, the Panthers are 7-12 SU so far.
The Panthers have converted on just 15.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.3 percent of all penalties.
Florida’s players have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, 4.0 per game over their last five games total, and 4.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays 11.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
James Reimer (28.6 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Florida. Reimer owns an 11-14-4 record, and has registered a .913 save percentage and 2.96 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Panthers will be Vincent Trocheck (15 goals, 21 assists) and Jonathan Huberdeau (13 goals, 23 assists).
Florida Panthers vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Florida is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Minnesota is 2-1 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of Minnesota’s last five outings.
Florida’s attempted 34.2 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 28.6 in its last five road outings.
