Utah Hockey Club vs Minnesota Wild Betting Pick & Prediction 12/20/24
Planning on watching today’s Hockey Club and Wild game? Catch the action at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN, as the Wild hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this game is set at 5.5 goals, and the Wild are favored by -1.5 against the Hockey Club in a Central division matchup.
UTAH HOCKEY CLUB VS MINNESOTA WILD BETTING PICK
The Pick: Minnesota Wild -1.5
This game will be played at Xcel Energy Center at 8:00 ET on Friday, December 20th.
WHY BET THE MINNESOTA WILD:
- Our prediction for this game is that the Wild will come out on top with a projected score of 4-2.
- Take the Wild on the moneyline
- The Wild should also cover at -1.5
Can the Hockey Club Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?
Utah Hockey Club fell to 15-11-5 after a 4-3 road loss to the Golden Knights. Utah led 2-0 before Vegas scored four unanswered goals, including the game-winner in overtime.
The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 7 goals went over. Utah, as underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover.
Utah Hockey Club put 19 shots on goal and scored three times in their recent 4-3 loss to Vegas. Logan Cooley netted his 2nd goal of the season, while Ian Cole followed with his 1st. Alexander Kerfoot added his 2nd goal of the year in the third period to tie the game at 3-3.
Nick Bjugstad picked up two assists, bringing his season total to 2. Cooley also contributed with his 8th assist on Cole’s goal. Utah struggled with giveaways, recording 13 in the game.
Defensively, Utah had a tough finish, allowing the game-winning goal just 2:15 into overtime. They also gave up three straight goals after leading 2-0. Connor Ingram made 31 saves with an 88.6% save percentage, while the defense recorded 8 takeaways and 21 hits.
Can Minnesota Pull Off a Home Win?
With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 20-8-4. Minnesota was favored on the puck line, but didn’t cover. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined 3 goals fell short of that mark.
Ryan Hartman opened the scoring for the Wild at 9:41 in the first period, but the Maple Leafs tied it up with just 52 seconds left in the period. Matt Boldy secured the win with a goal at 2:14 in overtime.
Ryan Hartman netted his 3rd goal of the season, scoring for the Wild at 9:41 in the first period. Matt Boldy added his 6th goal, securing the win with 2:14 into overtime. Jared Spurgeon contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to 3.
The Wild fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second and third periods. They finished with 15 giveaways in the game.
Defensively, the Wild will look to build off their last performance, where they allowed just 1 goal to the Maple Leafs. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage, and the defense added 7 takeaways and 22 hits. The only goal they allowed came on a power play late in the 1st period.