Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled, then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today, we are featuring the game between the Minnesota Wild vs New York Rangers. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild vs New York Rangers
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: FDSNNO, MSGSN
Tonight both teams begin the final month of the regular season as the Minnesota Wild (41-28–6) continue their three game road trip against the New York Rangers (35–32-7). The Rangers got the better of the Wild 3-2 in overtime in their first meeting. Points will be just as valuable tonight as both teams look to solidify a playoff spot.
Minnesota Needs More Offence
After collecting only one point in a home and home set with the New Jersey Devils Minnesota heads across the Hudson River looking to find their scoring touch. Without Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek the Wild offence was cold in March, scoring only 31 goals in 15 games. That is a measly 2.06 goals/game. This has made picking up wins hard to come by and lead to the Wild now being in a battle with the St. Louis Blues for the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
Both injured players did practice last Sunday before joining the Wild on the road trip. However, don’t expect them to play tonight as the team already said they won’t be playing on the trip. Without these players the offensive load will once again fall on Matt Boldy. He scored in New Jersey. One area Minnesota can draw confidence from is their road record. They are 22-11-4 on the road entering tonight. Another area the Wild can rely on is their goaltending. Filip Gustavsson continues to build on his strong season and is likely to start tonight.
Rangers Rookie Looking to Make Debut
Amidst their push for the playoffs the Rangers have made a late season addition with the signing of Gabe Perreault. He is a high profile rookie who put up 48 points in 37 college games this season with Boston College. Based off of practice yesterday he will likely start on a line with Alexis Lafreniere and J.T. Miller while seeing some time on the second power play unit.
Once the rookie lap is complete it will be time for New York to get back to business. This will be the first game back from a California road trip and they won’t be able to rely on the rookie to secure them a playoff spot. They have been able to find the back of the net more often than the Wild scoring 10 goals in their last two games. Leading the way was defenceman Adam Fox who had four points in those games. Maybe that offensive outburst can carry over to their power play. While bottom-5 in the league they will be facing a Minnesota penalty kill that is even worse.
NHL Predictions
As these teams enter April there are only so many opportunities left to collect points making this a big game for both clubs. The goaltending matchup is fairly even this season with Gustavsson likely battling Igor Shesterkin. They were the 2nd and 1st stars respectively of the first meeting. That leaves it up to the offences to decide this one. That should give the Rangers an advantage with them having a deeper forward group with less injuries and the addition of Perreault. The Rangers are also way better in the face-off dot leading to more puck possession time for their forwards. If the Wild are to win tonight it is going to have to be by committee. They will need to stick to their road game and try and score three or more goals.
Prediction: Rangers wins 4-2
Prop Bets of The Night
For Minnesota Boldy is their best bet to score. He is +210 as an anytime goal scorer. For the Rangers Fox has found the back of the net in two straight and three of his last four games. He is +600 to score tonight. A 60 minute correct score of 4-2 Rangers has odds of +1700.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: April 2nd Minnesota Wild vs New York Rangers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.