Here’s the write-up for our selection on the Wild tonight:
Minnesota Wild @ New York Rangers: WILD 2.04
Risk: 2 Units | Win: 2.08 Units
Risk: 2 Units | Win: 2.08 Units
The 4-2-0 Minnesota Wild are coming off a huge 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, and are now scoring an average of 3.17 goals per game, ranking them 7th overall in scoring as of today. The Wild have the best defense in the NHL right now, allowing a mere 1.00 goals against per game, they are just one of three teams allowing less than two goals against per game, the other two being Los Angeles (1.50 GA/GP), and Chicago (1.75 GA/GP). The New York Rangers have split 8 games this season with four wins and four losses, and are amongst the ten worst defensive teams right now, ranked 23rd overall on defense allowing 3.25 goals against per game. Henrik Lundqvist is confirmed in goal for the Rangers tonight and isn’t off to the best start with a 4-3-0 record, a 3.14 goals against average and .895 save percentage. Darcy Kuemper is probable for the Wild tonight and has a near perfect record of 4-1-0, accompanied by an impressive 0.81 GAA and a .966 SV%. The Rangers offense has been about average so far in eight games played, scoring 2.62 goals per game (17th); they either need to step up on the offense or tighten their defense as they are allowing more goals against than they are scoring. Both clubs aren’t excelling on the power play by any means, as the Wild haven’t converted yet on the power play (0.00%) while the Rangers are just 9.1% on the man advantage, ranking them 25th. When it comes to the penalty kill, the Wild have a significant advantage, currently 94.7% on the penalty kill (2nd overall) while the Rangers are 79.3% on the PK ranking them 19th overall. The Wild are off to a better start so far, they have a great offense accompanied by a solid defense. If the Wild can keep this up, they will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Minnesota has the Rangers beat on paper, I’ll gladly back Minnesota tonight as underdogs against New York.
