I have for you a preview of two very important games featuring all teams from the Central Division. Three are battling for positioning and to stay in the playoff picture, while one is just a few wins back and looks to stay relevant.
Minnesota Wild (-160) vs Nashville Predators (+135)
The Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators come into this game as the third and fourth-ranked teams in their division, respectively, with a game in hand for the Wild. The Predators are coming off a tough loss in which they allowed seven goals to the St. Louis Blues yesterday.
They probably won’t have their star goaltender Juuse Saros in net and will give him a rest after that showing and instead go with their backup Dave Rittich. The Wild haven’t gotten great goaltending on a nightly basis and have allowed three or more goals in 13 of the last 14 games. Expect this one to be higher scoring, as the Predators in general have been allowing goals at a higher rate as well. Both offences have been putting out consistent goals all year long. Saying all of that, go with the over (O6, -120).
These teams have only matched up once so far this year, with the win going to the Predators 5-2 in game five of the season. They play each other two more times after this, which should all be highly contested games and must watches. Stick to the favourite in this one by betting the Wild.
St. Louis Blues (-140) vs Winnipeg Jets (+115)
Today’s game between the Blues and the Winnipeg Jets should even be worse odds for the Blues money line considering their records home and away. The Jets have played .500 hockey since Dave Lowry took over and haven’t been able to string much together and climb their way back into the playoff picture.
Blues players David Perron and Robert Thomas have heated up recently, both scoring four goals in their past four games, while Jordan Kyrou, Vladimir Tarasenko, Brayden Schenn, and Tory Krug are all averaging at least a point per game over the past week. This offence against the Jets, who have struggled to keep the puck out of their net all year, doesn’t bode well for Winnipeg.
The Jets are 11-12-8 on the road, which doesn’t bode well for their chances against a Blues team that is very good at home (20-7-2). In 13 of the last 14 games, the Jets have allowed three or more goals against, while the Blues have been much better at keeping the puck out of their net and are coming in on a two-game win streak.
The Jets have the advantage in the series to this point, winning two of the three games, so expect the Blues to even the season series with a win tonight.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
