Bridgestone Arena plays host to a divisional matchup as the Minnesota Wild visit Tennessee to take on the Nashville Predators. The first puck will drop at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 30, and you’ll be able to catch it live on Fox Sports North.
Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators Odds
Nashville is 22-15 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.7 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league in this young season, is an improvement over the 41-41 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Of its 37 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 11-6 SU at home this year.
The Predators enter the matchup with the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they have found the net on 25.0 percent of their extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
The Predators, as a collective unit, have been penalized 5.5 times per game overall this season, 5.2 per game over their last five games total, and 5.4 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to kill penalties for a whopping 15.8 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 29.4 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (19 wins, 10 losses, and three OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville this year. Rinne did just play last night, however, so the team could choose to rest him and instead turn to Juuse Saros (3-6-6 record, .918 save percentage, 2.64 goals against average).
Filip Forsberg and Kyle Turris will each lead the offensive attack for the Predators. Forsberg (34 points) is up to 15 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points on eight different occasions this year. Turris has eight goals and 19 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 17 games.
On the other side of the ice, Minnesota is 20-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Wild are 8-12 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Wild have converted on 19.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Minnesota’s players have been penalized 4.3 times per game this season, and 5.6 per game over their last five on the road. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays 11.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Devan Dubnyk (2.66 goals against average and .918 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk is averaging 28.4 saves per game and owns a 14-10-2 record.
Eric Staal (15 goals, 18 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Wild.
Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Two of Nashville’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 3-4 overall in shootouts this season.
- The under has hit in three of Nashville’s last five outings.
- Minnesota has managed 29.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Nashville is averaging 33.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
