The Minnesota Wild host the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday evening at the Xcel Energy Center at 6:00 p.m. ET. NHL odds have Minnesota as a -126 favorite, while the total sits at 5.5.
Minnesota forward Kirill Kaprizov enters this contest amidst the best season of his career, and my Golden Knights vs. Wild predictions believe that his success will continue tonight.
Read on for my NHL picks for Sunday, December 15.
Golden Knights vs Wild prediction
My best bet
Kirill Kaprizov anytime goal (+100 at FanDuel)
My analysis
Kirill Kaprizov is currently the frontrunner in the Hart Trophy odds, which is well-deserved. He has carried the Minnesota Wild this season, leading the team in goals, assists and points through 29 games.
Kaprizov is second in the NHL with 20 goals, and he has now buried the puck 13 times over his past 16 games. This success is likely to continue against the Vegas Golden Knights, a team he has scored on eight times in the past 12 meetings.
Vegas has struggled in the defensive zone this year, which is a product of multiple variables. First, it surrenders high-danger scoring chances at a high rate, ranking 22nd in xGA/60.
Second, the Knights struggle on the penalty kill with a mere 78.7% rate, which puts them in the bottom half of the league in that category as well. This variable could prove especially costly against Kaprizov, who serves as the primary trigger man on the first power play unit.
Finally, inconsistent goaltending has hurt Vegas. Ilya Samsonov is slated to guard the cage for the Knights on Sunday, and he sports a .896 SV% through 10 starts this season.
Among the 54 goaltenders to start at least 10 games this year, Samsonov ranks 35th in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes.
Golden Knights vs Wild same-game parlay (SGP)
Kirill Kaprizov anytime goal
Marco Rossi 1+ assists
Wild moneyline
If we are backing Kaprizov to find the back of the net, then it wouldn’t be surprising if Marco Rossi is also involved in the play. Rossi skates alongside Kaprizov on both the first line and first power play unit, which are key reasons why he ranks third on the team in assists.
Rossi has assisted on two of Kaprizov’s past six goals, with Minnesota winning both of those games. Furthermore, the clear goaltending advantage in this matchup goes to the Wild, considering that Filip Gustavsson is confirmed to start between the pipes on Sunday.
Gustavsson is 14-5-3 with a .922 SV% through 22 starts this season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Golden Knights vs Wild odds
Golden Knights vs Wild live odds
Golden Knights vs Wild opening odds
- Puck line: Vegas +1.5 (-250) | Minnesota -1.5 (+198)
- Moneyline: Vegas +102 | Minnesota -122
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-134) | Under 5.5 (+110)
Golden Knights vs Wild trend
Kaprizov has scored 13 goals over his past 16 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Wild.
How to watch Golden Knights vs Wild
| Location: | Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN |
| Date: | Sunday, 12-15-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SCRIPPS, FDSNNO |
Golden Knights vs Wild latest injuries
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