by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2025
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Wild +136, Rangers -162; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Wild +135, Rangers -160; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Wild +135, Rangers -160; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Season Record
Minnesota Wild: 41-28-6 (4th place, Central Division)
New York Rangers: 35-32-7 (4th place, Metropolitan Division)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Wild: 4-4-2 last 10
New York Rangers: 4-5-1 last 10
Minnesota Wild vs New York Rangers Preview and Analysis
The Wild are entering this game with 88 points, a 41-28-6 record overall, and they are 22-11-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the New Jersey Devils in their last game, losing that one on the road 3-2 in overtime. Matt Boldy and Vinnie Hinostroza each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Marcus Foligno, Jon Merrill, and Jake Middleton each led the team in assists with 1 while Jonas Brodin led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Filip Gustavsson was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 28 shots with 26 saves and a .928 save percentage. Their offense has scored 204 goals this season averaging 2.7 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 214 goals against them allowing 2.9 goals per game.
The Rangers are entering this game with 77 points, a 35-32-7 record overall, and they are 17-17-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the San Jose Sharks in their last game, winning that one on the road 6-1. Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin each led the team in goals scored with 2 while Vincent Trocheck and Jonny Brodzinski each scored 1 goal for them in that one. J. T. Miller and Urho Vaakanainen each led the team in assists with 2 while Adam Fox led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Jonathan Quick was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 22 shots with 21 saves and a .955 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 224 goals this season averaging 3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 222 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.
Wild vs Rangers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Wild listed as an underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Wild have looked good in their games this season with their 41-28-6 record overall which has them in 4th place of their division in the West and in a Wild Card spot. They have also been a much better road team all season with their 22-11-4 road record. Meanwhile, the Rangers haven't looked good in their games this season with their 35-32-7 record overall which has them in 4th place of their division in the East and right on the cusp of a Wild Card spot. They haven't looked great on home ice though with their 17-17-3 home record this season. They are tied with the Canadiens for the last Wild Card spot and need to win this game badly, but they haven't looked that great lately. They are coming off a win over the Sharks in their last one, but a win over the worst team in the NHL isn't very impressive and this is still a Rangers team that is 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. The Wild haven't looked any better lately as they are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games and have lost 2 games in a row now, but they will be looking to bounce back in this game and they have been a lot better on the road this season. The Rangers haven't been a good or a consistent team for most of the season so this is a game that the Wild can definitely take advantage of them and get themselves back on track with the Wild Card in the West starting to tighten up. The best way to place a bet here is on the Wild to win this game.
Wild Rangers Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Wild 3 Rangers 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Minnesota Wild: 52-41 (+11.5 units) on the moneyline in non-conference games. 66-39 (+13.7 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a losing record. 80-62 (+6.3 units) on the moneyline against terrible defensive teams - allowing 3+ goals/game. 30-19 UNDER after 2 or more consecutive losses.
New York Rangers: 60-43 (-15.2 units) on the moneyline as a home favorite. 11-19 (-13.8 units) on the moneyline after a blowout win by 4 goals or more. 135-107 (-12.3 units) on the moneyline against mistake free teams - opponents average 4 power plays/game or less. 19-11 UNDER after a blowout win by 4 goals or more.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Wild: D. Chisholm (D) Day To Day - Lower Body. K. Kaprizov (LW) Out - Lower Body. J. Eriksson Ek (C) Out - Lower-body. T. Grosenick (G) Out For Season - Knee.
New York Rangers: M. Rempe (C) Out - Upper-body. A. Kaliyev (RW) Out For Season - Upper body. A. Edstrom (C) Out - Lower Body.
Notable Quotes
"I thought it was a really hard-fought game. Both teams played with playoff intensity. We really battled, and I thought we carried play and stuck with it. Fortunately, we were able to rebound and get the tying goal and at least get it to overtime (for a point)." - John Hynes after his team’s loss against the Devils in their game on Monday.
"Tonight, I thought there was a directness to our game. Moving the puck north, getting pucks to the net. We were pretty consistent with it the entire game." - Peter Laviolette after his team’s win against the Sharks in their game on Saturday.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Wild
LW Matt Boldy
C Marco Rossi
RW Vinnie Hinostroza
LD Jacob Middleton
RD Brock Faber
G Filip Gustavsson
New York Rangers
LW Artemi Panarin
C Vincent Trocheck
RW Brennan Othmann
LD Carson Soucy
RD Adam Fox
G Igor Shesterkin
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Wild
Points: M. Boldy (63)
Goals: M. Boldy (25)
Assists: M. Boldy (38)
GAA: F. Gustavsson (2.50)
New York Rangers
Points: A. Panarin (79)
Goals: A. Panarin (33)
Assists: A. Fox (47)
GAA: I. Shesterkin (2.84)
Coaches:
Minnesota Wild: John Hynes (2nd season)
New York Rangers: Peter Laviolette (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.
