Wild and Islanders Look to Outlast Each Other
After a thrilling victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night, the Minnesota Wild return home to the Xcel Energy Center to meet the New York Islanders, who are also coming off a win less than 24 hours ago. This is a pick’em between Minnesota (7-3-0) and the Islanders (5-2-2) according to the NHL odds.
Minnesota has won two straight, having come from behind in the third. If they have gas left in the tank, they will need it against the scrappy Islanders who shut out the high-flying Jets.
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| New York Islanders | +1½ -250 | -110 | 5½ -110o | 2½ -120o/-120u |
| Minnesota | -1½ +210 | -110 | 5½ -110u | 2½ -145o/+105u |
Team Previews
Islanders: No Rest for the Weary
This is the 10 game of an historic opening road trip for the Islanders. New York will get a three-day break following this game, but will still have three more games before their home opener on Nov. 20.
New York has gone 5-0-2 since dropping their first two games. This is despite getting outshot and losing the puck possession battle for the better part of their games. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin has been possessed and leads the NHL with a 7.8 goals saved above expectations (GSAE).
ilya sorokin would have stopped covid from entering the US
— attiLA (@QBWinsRnotAstat) November 7, 2021
On the skaters’ side, Brock Nelson has been on fire and has carried the Islanders’ offense. The nine-year pro just had a four-goal game and has eight points in his last five games. The “Isles” went 4-0-1 in this span. As long as the team gets a few skaters stepping up to provide Sorokin with goal support, this team is worth a bet online.
Wild: Minnesota Miracle Workers
The comeback wins may be thrilling for their fans, but folks betting on the sportsbook may be less than enthused. Minnesota was -200 favorite against Ottawa and needed overtime to get the job done. It was a slight dog against Pittsburgh and won narrowly in a shootout thanks to a last-second equalizer from Ryan Hartman.
Minnesota may be 7-3, but the team was winless on the puck line until Saturday night. All seven of its victories have been by one goal. In six games, Minnesota has conceded the first goal.
Opposite to the Islanders, Minnesota’s goaltending has been one of its weaknesses. Cam Talbot has a -2.2 GSAE, which is the third-worst among the starting netminders. Minnesota has generally outshot its opponents but their 0.972 PDO signifies their disadvantages hence why they’ve had to “sweat” their wins.
Betting Pick
Between these teams that may be running low on gas, we’re backing the Wild to defend home ice. Minnesota is 3-1 at home and is 2-1-0 even when allowing the first goal. The Islanders have a major advantage in net if Sorokin plays. But the Wild are more natural at scoring goals and playing in different situations, such as coming from behind.
Minnesota surprised everyone last season but are still considered longshots judging by the NHL outrights. This team is brimming with young talent and may be just short of a better goaltender to be considered a true Stanley Cup threat.
Pick: Minnesota Wild -110
Bonus Pick
As we previewed, the first team to score has not always been the victor in Minnesota’s games. In fact, only half of the time has the team that scored first won in a Minnesota game. The Islanders are a frontrunning team and not built for comebacks. But at almost 2-1, it’s worth a shot that they score first only for Minnesota to come back.
Pick: Team Scoring 1st Wins Game – No (+180)
