Bridgestone Arena is playing host to an intriguing clash as the Nashville Predators prepare to face the visiting Minnesota Wild. This divisional matchup gets started at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 5, and it will be showcased live on NBC Sports Network.
Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators Odds
With a -200 moneyline, Nashville heads into the game as the noticeable favorite. The line for Minnesota sits at +170, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-125 money on the under, +105 on the over).
The Predators are 38-30 straight-up (SU) and have hurt moneyline bettors to the tune of -8.3 units so far. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Central Division in this young season, is a regression from the 53-29 record that the team posted during the 2017-18 season campaign. 36 of the team’s 68 matches have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team’s 21-13 SU at home this season.
Nashville has converted on just 12.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places the team in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
Nashville, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.7 times per game overall this season, 4.2 per game over its last five contests total, and 4.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.9 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 25.2 saves per game with a .914 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (24 wins, 22 losses, and four OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Predators this year. If the Preds choose to rest him, however, the team may turn to Juuse Saros (15-12-12 record, .916 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average).
The Preds will continue relying on offensive production from Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi. Johansen (54 points) is up to 11 goals and 43 assists and has recorded two or more points on 15 separate occasions this year. Josi has 14 goals and 38 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 36 games.
Minnesota has lost 12.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 32-34 straight up (SU). Through 66 regular season outings, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just six have pushed. Minnesota’s 18-15 SU as the road team this season.
Minnesota has converted on 21.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Minnesota’s players have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five games. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Devan Dubnyk (2.58 goals against average and .912 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk is averaging 25.9 saves per game and owns a 27-27-5 record.
Zach Parise (24 goals, 30 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Wild.
Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Nashville’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 3-1 overall in shootouts this year.
- The total has gone under in four of Nashville’s last five outings.
- Over Nashville’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
- Minnesota skaters notched 16.9 hits per game last season, while the Preds posted 21.0 hits per contest.
