Wild vs Golden Knights Predictions

**SBR Andy** · 04-20-25, 10:29 AM

Wild vs Golden Knights Game 1 predictions from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Under 5.5 Goals (-115 BetMGM)

"The Golden Knights, who are among the Stanley Cup odds favorites, are such mammoth moneyline favorites that it's not worth backing them. Their -194 odds would profit a measly $5.15 on a winning $10 wager. Considering the Wild won four of the final five regular season games and have all their big guns back in the lineup and firing, the risk is too high for a disproportionately low potential return.

While I think Vegas will win for the fourth straight time this season against the Wild, I'm turning to the Over/Under for more value.

Two of the three regular-season meetings had five goals or fewer, while the last had six. The Wild also have their offensive weapons back, including Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek.

Ostensibly, that should point to more goals, but they often alleviate the pressure by controlling play in the offensive zone.

Before Kaprizov's injury, the Wild allowed the second-fewest goals per game on the road (2.46). While they maintained one of the best defensive records after Kaprizov's injury, their goals against increased to 2.76.

Meanwhile, Adin Hill enjoyed an excellent stretch to cap off his season with an 8-2-0 record and a 2.18 goals-against average. He didn't allow more than three goals in any of those starts. In addition, the Golden Knights tied for the fourth-fewest goals against per game on home ice (2.41)."

Jack Eichel Over 2.5 shots (-135 DraftKings)

"Eichel struggled down the stretch in pretty much every offensive category. Sunday's game offers a new lease on life for Eichel, one of the league's elite players who usually steps up come playoff time. He had at least three shots in five of his previous six playoff encounters. He also has a solid record against the Wild, hitting the Over in six of eight meetings since joining Vegas."

Ryan Hartman Over 1.5 shots (-105 bet365)

"Hartman has success against the Golden Knights, hitting the Over in seven straight head-to-heads. He was on a torrid pace to culminate the campaign, securing two shots or more in 10 of the final 12 games.

He didn't participate in the playoffs last season but slung at least two shots on goal in five straight games the last time he was in the dance in 2022-23. Hartman makes the most of his minutes and has the rugged physicality to make a mark against Vegas."

Mark Stone Over 0.5 points (-125 BetMGM)

"Stone has not been at his best since the calendar turned to April, with just one point in the last seven games. However, the Golden Knights' captain morphs into a much more effective and consistent machine in the postseason. His numbers against Minnesota recently are staggering, which is the primary reason I expect him to get on the scoresheet. He had five points in the three games against the Wild this season."

**slewfan** · 04-20-25, 10:40 AM

I'll take a chance with the Knights puck line (-1 ,1/2 goals) and the over5. Bought a half goal down. It pays just better than 1 3/4 times the bet. 100 pays back 275.

GL

**SBR Andy** · 04-21-25, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by slewfan

I'll take a chance with the Knights puck line (-1 ,1/2 goals) and the over5. Bought a half goal down. It pays just better than 1 3/4 times the bet. 100 pays back 275.

GL

Nice call! Vegas wins 4-2 in Game 1.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Golden Knights -500 / Wild +370

**slewfan** · 04-21-25, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by SBR Andy

Nice call! Vegas wins 4-2 in Game 1.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Golden Knights -500 / Wild +370

That last goal was like the old saying. '' Even a blind squirrel gets the acorn once in a while ''. I in no way feel smart about the win.

**SBR Andy** · 04-22-25, 12:41 PM

Wild vs Golden Knights Game 2 predictions from SBR's Connor Cooper:

Under 5.5 goals (-110 BetMGM)

"The Golden Knights drew first blood in this series Sunday with a 4-2 victory, but the game was in doubt until Brett Howden potted an empty-netter with a tenth of a second left on the clock. High-danger chances were at a premium as Vegas held the Wild to seven but generated only 10 of its own.

We should see another low-scoring contest in Game 2, especially with the underdog Wild knowing that’s their best chance to salvage a split in Sin City. That’s a style Minnesota was happy to play down the stretch of the regular season, helping the Wild secure points in six of their final eight games despite managing two regulation-time goals or fewer in six of those contests.

The Wild have also struggled to generate much offense in recent meetings with the Golden Knights, potting just nine goals in the last six matchups against Vegas. Meanwhile, two of the Golden Knights’ four goals in Game 1 came on the powerplay - including Howden’s second of the night into an empty net.

Three of the last five games between these teams featured fewer than six goals, and it would have been four of the last five if not for the last-second empty netter on Sunday. With another tight-checking affair likely on Tuesday, the Under 5.5 is my favorite play, while a potential +200 return on the Wild is the only way I can look at the moneyline."

Tomas Hertl anytime goal (+260 DraftKings)

"After closing the regular season with 21 goals in his final 32 games, Hertl continued his heater in Game 1 with a goal and an assist. Dating back to Jan. 11, the former San Jose Shark ranks third in the NHL in goals per game and 14th in points per game.

Oddsmakers are catching on, but the +260 odds you can get at DraftKings for an anytime goal are still extremely generous. By comparison, Leon Draisaitl - the only player in the playoffs who has had more goals than Hertl since mid-January - paid just +160 to score a goal for the Edmonton Oilers in their playoff opener Monday."

Matt Boldy Over 2.5 shots (-140 bet365)

"As Matt Boldy goes, so does the Wild offense. The young sniper led the Wild in goals, assists and points this season, and his 271 shots on net were nearly double the output of any other player on the Minnesota roster. He also supplied the Wild’s only two goals in Game 1.

Two shots on net have essentially been the floor for Boldy lately, as the forward has recorded multiple shots on net in seven of his last eight games. I’m fine laying -140 on Boldy getting a third shot on goal in a contest where the Wild should be pulling out all the stops."

Filip Gustavsson Under 26.5 saves (-118 BetMGM)

"Although 26.5 may look like a low number, it’s actually the highest that Gustavsson’s saves prop has been set at over his last 10 outings. That doesn’t seem warranted in a game where Minnesota will be buckling down defensively more than ever, especially after Gustavsson turned aside just 23 shots in Game 1.

In fact, Gustavsson hasn’t had to make more than 26 saves in four of his last five starts behind a Minnesota defense that has given up fewer than 30 regulation-time shots in six of its last seven games. And while Vegas has a reputation for being a high-scoring team at home, the Golden Knights haven’t recorded more than 30 shots on net in six straight games at T-Mobile Arena."

**SBR Andy** · 04-23-25, 08:18 AM

Minnesota bounces back with a 5-2 victory in Game 2 to tie up the series.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Golden Knights -200 / Wild +170