Two clubs that split their season series (one game apiece) a year ago, the New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild clash at the Xcel Energy Center in an East-West tilt. MSG Network will broadcast the action, which gets going at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 13.
New York Rangers at Minnesota Wild Odds
New York (+170) is entering this one as the underdog to Minnesota (-200) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -110 money on the over and -110 for the under.
The Wild are 30-25 straight up (SU) and have lost 0.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 49-33 record that the team posted during last years regular season campaign. Among its 55 games this season, 29 have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 19-9 SU at home this season.
Minnesota has converted on 21.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Minnesota has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last ten outings. The team has had to kill penalties for just 6.4 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 27.9 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (23-15-4) has been the top goalkeeper for the Wild this year. If they choose to rest him, however, the team could roll with Alex Stalock (8-14-14 record, .914 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average).
Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund will each lead the offensive attack for the Wild. Staal (50 points) has tallied 24 goals and 26 assists and has recorded two or more points on 14 different occasions this year. Granlund has 15 goals and 28 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 28 contests.
New York is 27-29 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 56 regular season contests, 31 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just two have pushed. New York’s 9-16 SU as the visiting team this season.
New York has converted on 20.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays 10.8 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Henrik Lundqvist (28.4 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for New York. Lundqvist has 23 wins, 25 losses, and four OT losses to his credit, while registering a .919 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average this year.
Mats Zuccarello (nine goals, 31 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive playmakers for the visiting Rangers.
New York Rangers at Minnesota Wild Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- New York is 3-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Minnesota is 3-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of Minnesota’s last five games.
- Over New York’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-6 in those games).
