Struggling Teams Meet in Minnesota
A pair of playoff hopefuls meet up in Minnesota on Sunday as the Wild face the Los Angeles Kings. Both come into this one having lost two straight, and this is not the time of year for a losing streak.
Los Angeles comes in with 86 points and that has it in third place in the Pacific Division. The Kings have been a major surprise.
Minnesota has racked up 92 point and is sitting in second place in the Central Division. The Wild look to be in great shape, but the Central Division race continues to heat up.
The NHL betting lines for this game have the Minnesota Wild as the betting favorites at -175.
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Los Angeles Has to Slow it Down
The Los Angeles Kings play much slower than most teams in the league, and that has led to a number of close games. Los Angeles is averaging 2.78 goals per game, but is allowing 2.75 goals per night.
Center Anze Kopitar comes in with 43 assists and 61 total points, and he is huge for this offense. The Kings are scoring on the power play just 17%t of the time, and that has to improve.
Goaltender Jonathan Quick just continues to deliver solid performances for the Kings, and he has gone 17-13-9. Los Angeles will be tested but will look to slow it throughout this game.
Minnesota Must Play Some Defense
The Minnesota Wild are giving up 3.07 goals per game this NHL season, and that defense failed them in the most recent loss. Minnesota is scoring 3.6 goals per game, but the Wild can’t rely on outscoring teams every single night.
After the most recent game, coach Dean Evason said, “The last two goals in regulation were not great goals by us as a team.” Minnesota isn’t playing a great offensive team in this one, but they still have to be better on that end.
Left Winger Kirill Kaprizov leads this team with 41 goals and 88 points, and he just continues to put up massive performances. Minnesota will look to break this game open and wear down the Kings.
Kings vs Wild Head-to-Head
This will be the third meeting between the Kings and Wild, and this will also be the rubber match. Each team has picked up a win up to this point, and both games have been decided by just one goal so far this season.
Minnesota had won four straight games over Los Angeles before the Kings won the most recent game.
Kings vs Wild Game Information
- Game: Kings (38-25-10) at Wild (43-21-6)
- Location: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
- Day/Time: Sunday, April 10, 5 p.m. ET
- Live Stream: NHL TV
Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild Betting Lines
Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild Prediction
NHL online betting provides some great opportunities on Sunday as there is a full slate of games. This game between the Kings and Wild will be an interesting matchup, but it will also be a meeting of two teams that are desperate.
Los Angeles has done a great job of slowing down the tempo all season long, and it have a strategy that works well. Slowing Minnesota is not an easy thing to do, though, and it’s hard to see the Wild not having a big day on the offensive end.
There won’t be a ton of separation in this game, but the Wild will find a way to score late to win it. Head to BetUS Sportsbook and take the Minnesota Wild -175 over the Los Angeles Kings.
