Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Prediction, NHL Odds
The Colorado Avalanche aim to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their NHL playoff second round series with the Minnesota Wile while extending their overall win streak to 10 games when these clubs hit the ice for Game 3 on Saturday night at Grand Casino Arena. The Avalanche put a stranglehold on the series with a decisive 5-2 win in Game 2 on Tuesday night, and have now allowed two or fewer goals in eight of their nine recent victories. The Wild look to avoid getting pushed to the brink of elimination but must find a way to shut down a red-hot Avalanche attack that has scored 14 total goals through the first two games of the series.
The Avalanche arrive in Minnesota leading the way as -133 favourites on the Game 3 NHL odds, and have rocketed to short -910 chalk on the NHL series prices. The Wild trail as +110 underdogs in Saturday’s matchup, and have tumbled to a +600 bet to rebound and win this series. The total in Game 3 is pegged at 6.5.
Avalanche vs. Wild NHL Betting Odds
There has been no shortage of offence in this series, with these Central Division rivals combining to score 22 total games through the first two games, and have no seen the OVER pay out in three of their past four overall meetings. While the Avalanche have found a higher gear during their current 9-0 run, they have struggled in recent trips to Minnesota during the postseason, losing three straight and five of seven since 2003. Halting that tend could be a challenge against a Wild squad that has won six of their past seven overall on home ice while surrendering just 2.14 goals per game.
However, their struggles during the first two games of the season have not helped them on the NHL futures. The Wild have sunk to a +1400 bet to win the West and to +2800 on the Stanley Cup odds. Conversely, the Avs are now perched as short -175 chalk on the Western Conference odds and sit neck-and-neck with Carolina as a +170 bet on the Stanley Cup futures.
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon has rediscovered his offensive mojo as the postseason has progressed, and enters Game 3 looking to record a fourth straight three-point performance. MacKinnon iced the win in Game 4 with his fourth goal of the playoffs while adding a pair of helpers, and has been particularly dangerous on the power play, scoring twice and adding a pair of helpers with the extra man during his three-game points streak. Overall, MacKinnon has racked up 13 points in six total meeting with the Wild this season, including five total PP points, and is an attractive +115 wager on the NHL player props to record at least one point with the man advantage on Saturday.
Former Toronto Maple Leafs skater Nicolas Roy has also been a key contributor this spring, potting three goals and an assist over the past five games including a pair of game winners, while Gabriel Landeskog has displayed youthful form with three goals and seven points during a five-game streak including multi-point performances in two of the past three games.
Minnesota Wild
After surrendering five total first-period goals through the first two games of this series, the Wild must avoid spotting Colorado yet another early advantage if they are to maintain any hope of advancing to the Western Conference final. The club also needs far more production from the Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. The duo combined to score 87 total goals during the regular season but have mustered just one total goal so far in the second round.
The club also needs expected netminder Jesper Wallstedt to step up. The 23-year-old was rocked for eight goals on 42 shots in Game 1 before giving way to Filip Gustavsson in Game 2. However, Wallstedt has been steady in recent appearances on home ice, limiting opponents to just two goals in six of his past eight outings.
