Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and the Colorado Avalanche will face off against Zach Parise, Eric Staal, and the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center in a divisional tilt. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 19, and it’ll be showcased live on Fox Sports North Plus.
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild Odds
Minnesota (-135) is currently favored over Colorado (+115), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -130 under, +110 over.
Minnesota is 34-39 straight-up (SU) and has lost 14.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 45-37 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 73 games this season, 29 have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just seven have pushed. The team’s 15-22 SU at home this season.
The Wild have converted on 20.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.2 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 25.4 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (29-31-6) has been the top goalkeeper for the Wild this season. If the Wild, however, decide to give him the evening off, Minnesota might roll with Alex Stalock (6-13-13 record, .893 save percentage, 3.05 goals against average).
On the other bench, Colorado is 31-41 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 37 of its matches have gone over the total, while 34 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the away team, the Avalanche are 15-21 SU.
The Avalanche have converted on 22.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for eighth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.6 percent of all penalties.
Semyon Varlamov (27.8 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Colorado. Varlamov has 19 wins, 28 losses, and nine OT losses to his credit, while registering a .910 save percentage and 2.86 goals against average this year.
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of the Wild’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 1-4 overall in shootouts this season.
- The under has hit in four of Colorado’s last five games.
- Colorado skaters registered 20.4 hits per game last season, while the Wild posted 16.9 hits per contest.
