Face-off: 2000 ET, 21/04/2022
Arena: Xcel Energy Center
Minnesota are looking for a third straight win that will keep them in second place in the Central Division ahead of St Louis.
Vancouver have launched a late-season surge as they look to force their way into the play-offs and will be hunting a seventh win in eight.
However, the hosts have been strong on home ice (27-7-2) and that should be enough to win this by one goal in regular time at 7.75 in the first of our Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks predictions.
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Minnesota Wild Odds
Minnesota are already assured of a playoff place and are now battling for seeding with the Blues – both are on 103 points but they have a game in hand.
The Wild have taken points in nine of their last 10 games and will hope to extend that streak to keep St Louis at bay.
They are coming off a 2-0 shutout win at Montreal on Tuesday that saw goaltender Cam Talbot make 26 saves for an 11th win in his last 14 starts.
“It’s always good to go out there and just help the team win, that’s all I’m looking to do,” Talbot said.
“I mean, shutouts are always an added bonus, but the win is what really matters, especially this time of year with the standings the way they are and playing for home ice.”
Minnesota can take momentum from the win over Montreal and 2.3 for them to win the first period appeals from the NHL odds.
Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vancouver sit just four points behind Dallas in the race for the wild card places and are only five points adrift of Los Angeles for third in the Pacific Division.
Taking points in each of their last seven games has got them right back into the playoffs race and coach Bruce Boudreau will hope to keep the momentum going.
They suffered a disappointing shootout loss on Tuesday to already-eliminated Ottawa and will look to put that behind them.
Boudreau feels the game-plan remains the same and Vancouver have to keep winning if they are to extend their season.
“We still have to win,” Boudreau said. “Nothing’s really changed.
“We were going to be allowed one mulligan somewhere along the road. We’ve responded really well in the past.
“This is a group that’s fought for four-and-a-half months, almost five months now, and they’re not going to quit now.”
With everything on the line, we will add 2.55 for a Minnesota win with over 5.5 total goals to our NHL predictions.
Additional stats
Last result:
Montreal 0-2 MINNESOTA
VANCOUVER 3-4 Ottawa (OT)
Season head-to-head: Minnesota 3-2 Vancouver, Vancouver 2-3 Minnesota
