NHL Wednesday Night Betting Preview: Kraken vs Wild Predictions (Mar. 19)
The Minnesota Wild (38-25-5) host the Seattle Kraken (30-34-5) at Xcel Center, with Minnesota looking to strengthen their wild card position in the Western Conference.
Hockey players celebrate goal celebration
Minnesota holds a six-point lead over the Canucks for the first wild card spot, while Seattle sits 10 points out of playoff contention. The Wild are 1.5-goal favorites, with puck drop at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Key Team Analysis:
- Wild: Strong defense at even strength but struggling offense (26th in NHL goals). Poor penalty kill (30th)
- Kraken: Playing second game of back-to-back after 6-2 win over Chicago
- Minnesota's offensive leaders: Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi (21 goals each)
- Kraken's Chandler Stevenson: Points in six straight games
Recent Head-to-Head:
- Wild won 5 of last 7 meetings
- Seattle won 5-4 (shootout) in October
- Minnesota won 4-3 on March 4
- Last 4 meetings hit the over
Top Picks:
- Minnesota -1.5 (BetMGM)
- Over 5.5 (BetMGM)
Betting Analysis:
- Wild: 16-15-2 home record, 29-36-3 over/under
- Kraken: 33-31-5 over/under, 3-2 ATS in last 5
- Best odds: Seattle +150 (BetMGM), Minnesota -175 (DraftKings)
Prediction: Minnesota to win comfortably. Their playoff position motivation and Seattle's fatigue from back-to-back games should be decisive factors. Despite both teams' low-scoring tendencies, expect the over due to Seattle's tired defense.
That's 💯 goals in a Wild sweater for Zuccy!!! pic.twitter.com/6cGt3hYGYv
The @SeattleKraken poured it on in the second period — scoring four goals en route to a 5-2 lead after two periods of play! 🦑 pic.twitter.com/QEnqG0lWqJ
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