Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks Betting Picks

Minnesota is 11-2 in the past 13 meetings, and the Wild has currently won eight of 10, although they look to bounce back from a 4-1 loss to Calgary on Thursday night. The Wild have won six of seven against the Western Conference, and they have won five of their past six road games. Vancouver has lost six straight versus the Central Division, and the Canucks have lost five home games in a row. Also, the Canucks are 0-6 in their past six games when their opponent scored two or fewer goals in their previous game. Vancouver is on a 1-7 run, including a current four-game skid. The Canucks have scored only five goals in four games. Jesper Wallstedt has been spectacular in his rookie season for Minnesota. He is 8-0-2 with a 1.74 goals-against average with four shutouts. Take the Wild.

Vancouver knows how to win on the road. The Canucks have a winning away record for the fifth straight season. Vancouver has a 48-31-10 road record over the last three seasons, marking a 61 percent winning percentage. The Canucks defeated the Blues in St Louis, 4-3, in a shootout as a $1.52 underdog this past Thursday. Vancouver accomplished this despite missing several players. The Canucks should get back Brock Boeser, their second-leading scorer, for today's game. Vancouver is catching Minnesota at a perfect time. The Wild have lost a season-worst five straight games, being outscored, 24-12, during this span. Minnesota has lost its last four games, all at home, falling to the Penguins, Jets, Sharks, and Mammoth. The Wild rank 25th in scoring, and their defensive numbers are even worse: 29th in goals allowed, 25th in shots allowed, and 31st in penalty kills. Thatcher Demko is projected to be in the net for Vancouver. He is by far Vancouver's best goalie. Minnesota is 1-5 as a favorite this season. Excellent value for Vancouver. Take the Canucks.

Minnesota is 22-13-5 on the road, anchored by a defense that is sixth in the NHL in save percentage (.908). They've won two of the last three, including a 3-2 victory over Dallas as a +130 underdog. Minnesota needs a win to clinch a playoff spot. Vancouver is one game over .500 at home (16-15-7) and has a minus-14 goal differential. The offense is 21st in goals scored (2.89 per game), while the defense is 24th in save percentage (.893) and 18th in goals surrendered. Vancouver is 3-5 in its last eight home contests, including losses as favorites of -145 and -155. Play Minnesota.