by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024
Game Time: 9:30 pm ET, Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Venue: Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, MN
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Panthers -125, Wild +105; Over/Under: 6 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Panthers -125, Wild +105; Over/Under: 6 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Panthers -130, Wild +110; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
Florida Panthers: 19-11-2 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)
Minnesota Wild: 20-7-4 (2nd place, Central Division)
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Recent Form
Florida Panthers: 7-2-1 last 10
Minnesota Wild: 7-3-0 last 10
Florida Panthers vs Minnesota Wild Preview and Analysis
The Panthers are entering this game with 40 points, a 19-11-2 record overall, and they are 10-6-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Edmonton Oilers in their last game, winning that one on the road 6-5. Niko Mikkola, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Jesper Boqvist, Gustav Forsling, and Matthew Tkachuk each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Anton Lundell led the team in assists with 2 while Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling, and Matthew Tkachuk each led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Sergei Bobrovsky was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 5 goals on 30 shots with 25 saves and a .833 save percentage. Their offense has scored 114 goals this season averaging 3.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 104 goals against them allowing 3.3 goals per game.
The Wild are entering this game with 44 points, a 20-7-4 record overall, and they are 8-5-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Vegas Golden Knights in their last game, losing that one at home 3-2. Kirill Kaprizov scored 2 goals for them in that one. Mats Zuccarello led the team in assists with 2 while Kirill Kaprizov led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Jesper Wallstedt was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 27 shots with 24 saves and a .889 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 98 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 80 goals against them allowing 2.6 goals per game.
Panthers vs Wild Prediction
The current betting odds have the Panthers listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Panthers have looked really good in their games this season with their 19-11-2 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the East. They haven't looked great in their games lately as the defending Stanley Cup champions have been in a slump on this road trip, but they are coming off a 6-5 win over the Oilers in their last one and that win is going to give them a ton of momentum going forward. Meanwhile, the Wild have looked really good in their games this season with their 20-7-4 record overall which has them in 2nd place of their division in the West. They were really hot, but now they are coming off a loss in their last one and haven't looked as good lately. They just lost to the Golden Knights on home ice and have 2 losses in their last 3 games. Their defense hasn't looked as good in these games either and they now have one of their goaltenders injured and missing time too. The Wild are starting to cool off now after their hot streak and the Panthers are going to have a ton of momentum after breaking their recent road slump with that big win over the Oilers. They can take advantage of a Wild team that is limping at the moment. The best way to place a bet here is on the Panthers to win this game.
Panthers Wild Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Wednesday, December 18, 2024 (9:30 pm ET start time) is Panthers 4 Wild 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Florida Panthers: 142-100 (+5.9 units) on the moneyline in all games. 42-22 (+10.9 units) on the moneyline as a road favorite of -200 or less. 16-8 (+6.3 units) on the moneyline after scoring 6 goals or more in their previous game. 95-72 (+8.4 units) on the moneyline against explosive offensive teams - scoring 3+ goals/game. 42-24 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 75%).
Minnesota Wild: 23-41 (-10.6 units) on the moneyline as an underdog. 6-16 (-9.5 units) on the moneyline as a home underdog of +100 to +150. 41-56 (-13.4 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 58-68 (-11.4 units) on the moneyline against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game. 43-29 UNDER in a home game where the total is 6 or more.
Key Injuries
Florida Panthers: A. Barkov (C) Day To Day - Undisclosed.
Minnesota Wild: F. Gustavsson (G) Day To Day - Undisclosed. Y. Trenin (C) Day To Day - Upper Body. J. Lauko (C) Out - Lower-body. J. Middleton (D) Out - Upper Body. J. Eriksson Ek (C) Out - Lower-body. T. Grosenick (G) Out For Season - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“It was a real mentally tough game. You get down a couple, and we haven't had comebacks this year. It was dangerous in front of both nets all night long. I'm really happy with that one. I'm really proud that we were able to stay with it and dig in.” - Paul Maurice after his team’s win against the Oilers in their game on Monday.
“I don’t think it’s anything major. He’s getting actually checked out today, so I’ll have more info probably on Tuesday.” - John Hynes on the injury to Filip Gustavsson.
Starting Lineups
Florida Panthers
LW Carter Verhaeghe
C Sam Bennett
RW Matthew Tkachuk
LD Gustav Forsling
RD Aaron Ekblad
G Sergei Bobrovsky
Minnesota Wild
LW Kirill Kaprizov
C Marco Rossi
RW Mats Zuccarello
LD Jonas Brodin
RD Brock Faber
G Marc-Andre Fleury
Statistical Leaders
Florida Panthers
Points: S. Reinhart (41)
Goals: S. Reinhart (20)
Assists: S. Reinhart (21)
GAA: S. Knight (2.85)
Minnesota Wild
Points: K. Kaprizov (47)
Goals: K. Kaprizov (22)
Assists: K. Kaprizov (25)
GAA: F. Gustavsson (2.24)
Coaches:
Florida Panthers: Paul Maurice (3rd season)
Minnesota Wild: John Hynes (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
