Two teams that each played last night, the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks collide at the United Center for a Central Division tilt. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the game, which gets going at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 10.
Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Chicago heads into the contest as the narrow favorite with a moneyline of -115. The line for Minnesota sits at -105, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Minnesota is 22-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 23 of its matches have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team this season, the Wild are 8-14 SU.
Minnesota has converted on 18.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it has successfully killed off 83.1 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Wild have been penalized 4.4 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 5.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties 11.4 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (16-11-2) has been the top option in goal for Minnesota this year. If Minnesota decides to rest him, however, head coach Bruce Boudreau could go with Alex Stalock (7-12-2 record, .914 save percentage, 2.71 goals against average).
Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund will both be offensive focal points for the visiting Wild. Staal (37 points) has tallied 19 goals and 18 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 10 different games. Granlund has 12 goals and 20 assists to his name (and has registered a point in 19 games).
Chicago is 21-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 21 of its matches have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 11-8 SU as the home team.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Blackhawks players have been sent to the penalty box 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has maintained a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this season.
Patrick Kane (18 goals, 27 assists) will lead the attack for the home team.
Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in four of Chicago’s last five outings.
The Blackhawks are 7-4 in games where they take 10+ shots more than their opponent. They’ve averaged the league’s most shots on goal (34.7) while the Wild have attempted just the 29th-most (34.7).
