by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Mar 31, 2023
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Where to watch: BSWI, BSN, ATTSN-RM, TVAS2
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Check back later for odds
BetMGM: Check back later for odds
Caesars: Check back later for odds
Season record
Wild: 44-22-9
Golden Knights: 46-22-7
The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!
Wild - Golden Knights preview, prediction and analysis
On April 1, 2023, the Minnesota Wild will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in a highly anticipated game. Both teams have had successful seasons and are fighting for playoff positions, making this game all the more important. Let's take a closer look at each team's strengths and weaknesses and what we can expect from this game.
Minnesota Wild:
The Minnesota Wild have been having a great season so far, currently sitting in second place in the Central Division with a 44-22-9 record. The Wild have a strong offense, led by superstar centerman Kirill Kaprizov, even though he has been out for the last few weeks due to injury. Somehow, the Wild have still found a way to win games and are now atop the Central Division.
Defensively, the Wild have been solid as well. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson has been having a great season, with a .921 save percentage and a 2.20 goals against average. Behind him is Marc-Andre Fleury, who will likely be getting the start against his former team in this potential Western Conference Final preview.
However, the Wild have struggled on the power play this season, ranking 23rd in the league with a 16.7% success rate. They will need to improve their special teams play if they want to have success in the playoffs.
Vegas Golden Knights:
The Vegas Golden Knights have also had a successful season, currently sitting in first place in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights have a balanced offense, with several key players contributing to their success. Jack Eichel leads the team with 60 points and is going to the playoffs for the first time in his career
One area where the Golden Knights have struggled this season is on the penalty kill. They currently rank 27th in the league with a 76.6% success rate. They will need to improve their penalty killing if they want to have success in the playoffs.
Prediction:
This game is shaping up to be a close one, with both teams having strong offenses and solid goaltending. The Wild will need to improve their power play if they want to come out on top, while the Golden Knights will need to improve their penalty killing.
Ultimately, we predict that the Wild will come out on top in a close game. They have been playing with great confidence lately and will be looking to secure their playoff position. However, the Golden Knights will not go down without a fight and this game could easily go either way.
Final score prediction: Minnesota Wild 4, Vegas Golden Knights 3.
Minnesota Wild:
The Minnesota Wild have been having a great season so far, currently sitting in second place in the Central Division with a 44-22-9 record. The Wild have a strong offense, led by superstar centerman Kirill Kaprizov, even though he has been out for the last few weeks due to injury. Somehow, the Wild have still found a way to win games and are now atop the Central Division.
Defensively, the Wild have been solid as well. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson has been having a great season, with a .921 save percentage and a 2.20 goals against average. Behind him is Marc-Andre Fleury, who will likely be getting the start against his former team in this potential Western Conference Final preview.
However, the Wild have struggled on the power play this season, ranking 23rd in the league with a 16.7% success rate. They will need to improve their special teams play if they want to have success in the playoffs.
Vegas Golden Knights:
The Vegas Golden Knights have also had a successful season, currently sitting in first place in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights have a balanced offense, with several key players contributing to their success. Jack Eichel leads the team with 60 points and is going to the playoffs for the first time in his career
One area where the Golden Knights have struggled this season is on the penalty kill. They currently rank 27th in the league with a 76.6% success rate. They will need to improve their penalty killing if they want to have success in the playoffs.
Prediction:
This game is shaping up to be a close one, with both teams having strong offenses and solid goaltending. The Wild will need to improve their power play if they want to come out on top, while the Golden Knights will need to improve their penalty killing.
Ultimately, we predict that the Wild will come out on top in a close game. They have been playing with great confidence lately and will be looking to secure their playoff position. However, the Golden Knights will not go down without a fight and this game could easily go either way.
Final score prediction: Minnesota Wild 4, Vegas Golden Knights 3.
Projected lines
Wild:
Marcus Foligno -- Ryan Hartman -- Mats Zuccarello
Marcus Johansson -- Joel Eriksson Ek -- Matt Boldy
Sam Steel -- Frederick Gaudreau -- Oskar Sundqvist
Mason Shaw -- Connor Dewar
Jake Middleton -- Jared Spurgeon
Jonas Brodin -- Matt Dumba
Jon Merrill -- John Klingberg
Alex Goligoski
Marc-Andre Fleury
Marcus Foligno -- Ryan Hartman -- Mats Zuccarello
Marcus Johansson -- Joel Eriksson Ek -- Matt Boldy
Sam Steel -- Frederick Gaudreau -- Oskar Sundqvist
Mason Shaw -- Connor Dewar
Jake Middleton -- Jared Spurgeon
Jonas Brodin -- Matt Dumba
Jon Merrill -- John Klingberg
Alex Goligoski
Marc-Andre Fleury
Golden Knights:
Ivan Barbashev -- Jack Eichel -- Jonathan Marchessault
Chandler Stephenson -- William Karlsson -- Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden -- Nicolas Roy -- Phil Kessel
Michael Amadio -- Teddy Blueger -- Keegan Kolesar
Alex Pietrangelo -- Alec Martinez
Brayden McNabb -- Shea Theodore
Nicolas Hague -- Zach Whitecloud
Jonathan Quick
Ivan Barbashev -- Jack Eichel -- Jonathan Marchessault
Chandler Stephenson -- William Karlsson -- Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden -- Nicolas Roy -- Phil Kessel
Michael Amadio -- Teddy Blueger -- Keegan Kolesar
Alex Pietrangelo -- Alec Martinez
Brayden McNabb -- Shea Theodore
Nicolas Hague -- Zach Whitecloud
Jonathan Quick
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NHL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
