Prior to dropping their previous two games to the Golden Knights in Vegas, the Minnesota Wild had won six straight. Wild goalie Cam Talbot hopes to get back on track vs the Coyotes after dropping both games in Sin City. Talbot is 4-3-1 with a 2.73 GAA and a .910 SV% since coming over from Calgary in the offseason.
Arizona has lost 7-of-11, and is just behind Minnesota for the final playoff spot in the West Division. As close as the Coyotes and Wild are in total points, they are miles apart regarding overall statistical production. Arizona is likely fighting a losing battle this season, and might trade veteran defenseman Alex Goligowski before the deadline.
Goligowski is a Grand Rapids, MN native, and would probably welcome a stint with the Wild in his home state. Stranger things have happened, but let’s stay focused here. The most recent NHL odds on our sportsbook rate Minnesota as fairly heavy road favorites vs Arizona on March 5. It’s time to formulate our winning online sports betting strategy!
Minnesota Wild vs Arizona Coyotes
Friday, March 5 at 9 p.m. EST
Gila River Arena- Glendale, AZ
NHL Betting Vitals
Puck Line: Wild -1½ (+170) , Coyotes +1 ½ (-200)
Money Line: Wild -150, Coyotes +130
Goal Totals: 5 ½
Is This the Wild’s West?
The West Division is loaded with some heavy hitters, including the Wild, Blues, Avalanche, Golden Knights, and the surprising Kings. The Coyotes are in the conversation but seem to have brought a knife to a gunfight. Only four teams make the playoffs from this rugged sector, and Minnesota has the third-best odds to win the division.
And why not the Wild West? Minnesota is powered by a legion of talented young forwards, paired with versatile veteran defensive units. C Joel Erikkson Ek and winger Jordan Greenway have worked their way up from the third line to the first. Erikkson Ek and Greenway compliment Kevin Fiala quite well, and then there’s rookie phenom Kirill Kaprizov.
Kaprizov enjoyed a strong February, and leads all rookies in points (17), assists (11), and plus-minus rating (+7) for 2021. If Talbot can settle back in between the pipes for Minnesota, these chaps might just make a deep postseason run. For Talbot and the Wild, that push forward begins Friday night against the Coyotes in Glendale, AZ.
Wild at Coyotes: Betting Forecast
Let’s just say the forecast is cloudy for the Coyotes, and the Wild should dominate this matchup. As mentioned earlier, Minnesota is literally ahead of Arizona in every single major stat category that there is. Check this out:
It’s also important to note that the Wild have won the last three head-to-head battles with the Coyotes. Talbot was the winner in two of those victories last season, sporting a sparkling 2.01 GAA and .951 SV%. This is the perfect spot for Talbot to dig in for a W.
On Fridays, I’m in love with the Wild. Minnesota is 9-1 over its previous 10 Friday games, while Arizona is 2-7 in their last nine Friday faceoffs. Fridays are the cure for the Wild, and the Minnesota money and puck lines look great in this specific case.
NHL Free Pick ATS: Minnesota Wild -1½ (+170)
NHL Free Pick $$$: Minnesota Wild -150
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