Golden Knights vs Wild Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Defenses Stand Tall in Saint Paul

In Thursday’s NHL nightcap, there is a Western Conference tilt with the Central Division’s Minnesota Wild hosting the Pacific Division’s Vegas Golden Knights. Low-scoring affairs are typically in order when these two clubs meet, with six or fewer total goals scored in seven of their last 10 matchups.

Will we see another such contest, or can the scoring pick up this time around? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Golden Knights vs Wild on Thursday, February 9.

Golden Knights vs Wild best odds

Golden Knights vs Wild picks and predictions

The Minnesota Wild enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back following last night’s contest against the Dallas Stars. Not only did the Under cash in that contest, but there have now been six or fewer total goals scored in eight of the Wild’s last 10 games.

Minnesota’s elite blueline deserves most of the credit for these low-scoring affairs. Spearheaded by defenseman Jared Spurgeon, the Wild rank second in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.

However, another factor in these low-scoring games is Minnesota’s lackluster offense. While superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov carries this team offensively, the lack of scoring depth is the Wild’s biggest weakness.

Minnesota ranks just 23rd in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. Backing up this team tonight is goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who gets the nod in the second half of a back-to-back.

Entering this matchup in tremendous form, Fleury boasts a .926 SV% and a 2.47 GAA over his last four starts. There were six or fewer total goals scored in all four of those outings.

This strong play could continue against the Vegas Golden Knights. In his lone career start against them, Fleury stopped 30 of 31 shots en route to a 2-1 victory, and that was behind a Chicago defense that is far inferior to Minnesota’s.

Across the ice, rookie netminder Logan Thompson is slated to start between the pipes for Vegas. Currently in the Calder Trophy conversation, Thompson is 19-13-3 with a .913 SV% and 2.69 GAA through 35 appearances in the crease this season.

With that said, the Knights’ elite defensive play under new head coach Bruce Cassidy has played a large part in those tremendous numbers. Vegas ranks fifth in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

However, the Knights’ offense has gone stale over the last month, particularly with the lack of production from the top-six forwards. To make matters worse for Vegas, star winger Mark Stone is out indefinitely after undergoing back surgery.

With this combination of strong defensive play and a struggling offense, there have now been six or fewer total goals scored in nine of the Knights’ last 11 games.

My best bet: Under 6 (-109 at Barstool)

Golden Knights vs Wild moneyline analysis

I would lean towards the Golden Knights moneyline in this contest as a slight underdog. However, the significance of Mark Stone’s absence cannot be understated.

Not only does he produce almost a point per game, but he is also their best two-way forward. He is instrumental in making life difficult for the opposition on both ends of the ice. Stone last played on January 12 against the Florida Panthers, and Vegas is just 2-5-2 in nine games since then.

That is not a coincidence, and is the main reason that Minnesota is priced as the favorite (along with the fact that this game is at the Xcel Energy Center). I still think the Knights are the better overall team in this matchup, but we cannot trust them at the moment until they figure out how to play without Stone in the lineup.

Golden Knights vs Wild Over/Under analysis

The main concern in taking the Under in this contest are the underlying metrics of each goaltender. Fleury and Thompson both rank in the Bottom 10 among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.

Each of the goaltenders’ surface-level stats are inflated due to the tremendous bluelines in front of them. With that said, both guys are still competent between the pipes, and should be able to take care of business with strong defenses in front of them.

Golden Knights vs Wild betting trend to know

There have been six or fewer total goals scored in nine of Vegas’ last 11 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs Wild.

Golden Knights vs Wild game info

Golden Knights vs Wild key injuries

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