Minnesota Wild at New Jersey Devils Matchup

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The Prudential Center will be the site for an East-West clash as the New Jersey Devils take the ice against the visiting Minnesota Wild. It’s the final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. Fox Sports North will broadcast the game, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 22.

Minnesota Wild at New Jersey Devils Odds

Minnesota is 32-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this year. Through 59 regular season outings, 31 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Wild team is 12-16 SU on the road.

Minnesota has converted on 20.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 16th in the league, and it has successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all penalties.

For the team as a whole, Minnesota has been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

With a .919 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Devan Dubnyk (25-17-5) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota this year. If it decides to rest him, however, head coach Bruce Boudreau may turn to Alex Stalock (8-14-2 record, .914 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average).

Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Wild. Staal (53 points) is up to 26 goals and 27 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 14 different games. Granlund has 15 goals and 29 assists to his credit (and has notched a point in 29 games).

New Jersey is 31-29 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.8 units this season. 32 of its games have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 16-14 SU at home this year.

New Jersey has converted on 19.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all opponent power plays.

New Jersey skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Cory Schneider has stopped 28.9 shots per game as the top choice in goal for New Jersey. Schneider has 18 wins, 17 losses, and six OT losses to his name and has registered a mediocre 2.79 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this year.

The Devils offense will be led by Taylor Hall (25 goals, 38 assists).

Minnesota Wild vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions

Free Pick: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under

Betting Trends

  • Two of Minnesota’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 3-2 overall in shootouts this season.
  • The over has hit in three of New Jersey’s last five games.
  • Over Minnesota’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).