The Minnesota Wild, fueled by Eric Staal and Jason Zucker, are prepared to take the ice against Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in an East-West showdown. New England Sports Network will air the action, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 23.
Minnesota Wild vs. Boston Bruins Odds
The Bruins (-210) are tabbed as the favorites over the Wild (+175) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Earning moneyline bettors 2.4 units, Boston is 14-8 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league in this young season, hasn’t moved much from the 49-33 record the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 22 regular season matches, 11 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 8-4 SU at home this year.
The Bruins come into the matchup with the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve converted on 30.9 percent of their extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 12th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.6 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .931 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (10-4-2) has been the best option in goal for Boston this season. If Boston chooses to rest him, however, the team may go with Jaroslav Halak (4-4-4 record, .924 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
Minnesota has lost 4.6 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 9-13 straight up (SU). Through 22 regular season matches, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while nine have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As the away team this season, the Wild are 4-10 SU.
The Wild have converted on 17.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Devan Dubnyk (3.35 goals against average and .893 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk is averaging 25.0 saves per game and has four wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Minnesota Wild vs. Boston Bruins Free Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Over Boston’s last ten outings, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-1 in those games).
- The Wild are 1-5 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Bruins are 6-3 SU when they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- The total has gone under in four of Minnesota’s last five games.
- One of the top teams at valuing the puck, Minnesota is ranked first this season with just 7.2 giveaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as it’s averaged 5.5 giveaways over its last 10 games and 4.0 giveaways over its last five.
- Boston has averaged 11.2 giveaways over its last five home games, its season average of 10.5 giveaways per game (ranked 14th).
- The Bruins this season have tallied the eighth-most hits in the NHL (23.3 per game).
