The Minnesota Wild haven’t failed their fans yet when they’re playing at home this season. The Wild will put their undefeated home record on the line again later tonight, when they get a visit from the defending champions, Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks have dominated the matchup, winning all of the two team’s last four meetings. Read on for more about this game below.
Speaking of Chicago, the Bulls have a game also tonight against Brooklyn. Click here for a full preview of that game.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul
When: Friday, October 30, 2015 8:00 PM ET
Line: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks (6-4-0)
[sc:NHL240 ]Chicago’s hot streak is now over after the Blackhawks suffered a 3-1 road loss against Winnipeg Thursday. The Blackhawks have been a little silent on offense of late, scoring just a goal in four of their last five games.
That sounds a little surprising considering the caliber of players on Chicago’s roster. For one, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa haven’t been playing up to expectations thus far this season, as they’ve only combined for only three goals. Toews, however, has two goals in his last three games.
Rookie Artemi Panarin has also failed to sustain his hot start to the season, as the Bread Man hasn’t scored a goal in his last seven games. That leaves Patrick Kane with most of the workload, as the second-line forward leads the team with six goals, which includes Chicago’s lone goal in the Jets game. Overall, the Blackhawks are just 25th in the league with 2.11 goals per game average.
Fortunately for Chicago, its defense has been holding up well. Corey Crawford, in particular, has been a stud between the pipes for the Blackhawks, as he already gas five wins to go along with a .938 SV% and 1.76 GAA. He’ll have a tough game ahead against Minnesota’s potent lineup, though, so Crawford will need Chicago’s blue line to step up as well. Chicago is second in the league in goals allowed per game (1.78) and sixth in shots against (27.3).
Chicago is 4-0 in its last four games against the Wild.
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Betting on the Minnesota Wild (6-2-1)
Following a 5-4 loss to Winnipeg, the Wild went back to work and defeated Edmonton 4-3 on Tuesday to return in the win column. That’s a nice win to build on for the 6-2-1 Minnesota as it takes on the ever-dangerous Blackhawks later tonight.
Minnesota has been scoring well, averaging 3.1 goals per game thus far this season. Furthermore, the Wild have put up 14 total games over their last four games, three of which came on the man advantage.
Minnesota’s power play is a clear strength of this team, as the Wild are seventh in the league with a 23.3 PP%. Zach Parise paces the team with seven goals and nine points, while third-line hotshot Thomas Vanek has four goals and four assists.
The offense really has to perform for Minnesota to offset a shaky defense that has allowed an average of 2.8 goals per game. That said, Devan Dubnyk appears to be rounding into form after an underwhelming start to the season, wherein he allowed 14 goals in his first five starts. Since then, the 29-year-old netminder has surrendered just three goals in three starts, including a 22-stop performance in the Edmonton game.
Minnesota is 5-0 in its last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Minnesota wins, 3-2.
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[sc:NHL490 ]
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