Face-off: 2000 ET, 28/04/2022
Arena: Xcel Energy Center
Minnesota suffered an untimely blip when upset by Arizona on Tuesday but will be fired up for the visit of Calgary to Xcel Energy Center.
The Wild can still secure home advantage in the first round of the playoffs, whereas the Flames have nothing at stake in this contest.
We’re happy to take 1.87 for a home victory on the money line in our Minnesota Wild vs Calgary Flames predictions.
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Minnesota Wild Odds
Minnesota were left kicking themselves after going down 5-3 at this venue to the Coyotes, who had not won in 10 previous outings.
That result left the Wild tied for second in the Central Division with St Louis, but they do still have a game in hand.
Dean Evason’s side went into that game on a five-match winning run, while they had picked up at least a point in 10 straight games and 13 consecutive home fixtures.
Forward Joel Eriksson Ek said: “It’s frustrating. We know we can be so much better. We have to learn from this.
“We know the playoffs are coming, so we can’t let this get us down too much, but we for sure are not happy with how we played.”
Minnesota usually score heavily at this venue, so 2.95 for the hosts to prevail and over 5.5 goals in the game appeals from the NHL odds.
Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary have already wrapped up the Pacific Division title, enjoying a double-digit cushion at the summit ahead of Edmonton.
Admittedly, the Flames have shown few signs of easing off so far, with Tuesday’s 5-4 overtime triumph at Nashville giving them a hat-trick of wins.
Matthew Tkachuk levelled things up with just one second on the clock and Elias Lindholm went on to grab the decider.
Forward Milan Lucic said: “I’d have to say, I’ve played over 1,000 games now, and that’s probably a top-five game that I’ve been a part of.
“With the goals, the hits, the fights, the emotion, the crowd – it was a great game to be a part of.”
Calgary coach Darryl Sutter added: “That’s what playoffs are. Up one, down one. You have to play every shift like it’s the one that will be the difference. That’s the way it works.”
However, with a trip to Winnipeg following on from this contest tomorrow night, surely the Flames will now start to think about the post-season.
We reckon 3.0 for Minnesota to oblige by more than one clear goal is worth adding to our NHL predictions.
Additional stats
Last result:
MINNESOTA 3-5 Arizona
Nashville 4-5 CALGARY (OT)
Season head-to-head: Minnesota 1-5 Calgary, Calgary 7-3 Minnesota
