Minnesota Wild vs Seattle Kraken Picks and Predictions October 12th 2024

Matt Boldy, Wild shoot for 2-0 start vs. Kraken

The Minnesota Wild are looking to build on a strong start to the NHL season as they prepare to face the Seattle Kraken in their home opener. Fresh off a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Wild will count on rising star Matt Boldy to lead the charge against a Seattle team eager to rebound from a tough loss. The Kraken, coming off a 3-2 defeat at home against the St. Louis Blues, will be looking to get their first win of the season when the two teams meet on Saturday night in Saint Paul, Minn.

Matt Boldy: The Wild’s New Offensive Playmaker

Matt Boldy, a 23-year-old forward for the Wild, is already living up to high expectations after an outstanding performance in the season opener. Boldy scored a goal and added two assists in the victory against Columbus, immediately making his presence felt on the ice. His teammate Joel Eriksson Ek, who had predicted Boldy’s breakout season, believes the young forward could soon be one of the league’s top offensive threats.

“Just watching the end of last year, you could really tell what he’s becoming,” Eriksson Ek said. “I think he might be close to 100 points at some point in his career. He’s so smart, big, and strong, and it’s exciting to see him grow.”

This early surge makes Boldy a key player to watch as the Wild look to make it back-to-back wins. If he can maintain his hot start, the Wild’s offense will be difficult to stop.

Minnesota Wild’s Momentum: Veteran Leadership Meets Youthful Energy

Minnesota’s blend of veteran experience and youthful talent is evident in their season opener. Joel Eriksson Ek, who has been a steady presence for the Wild, combined with the dynamism of younger players like Boldy to help propel the team forward. The Wild’s confidence is also bolstered by the anticipated season debut of veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

The 39-year-old Fleury is entering his 21st season in the NHL and continues to be one of the league’s most reliable goaltenders. With 561 career victories, he ranks second all-time in wins and fourth in games played (1,025). Fleury has a strong track record against the Kraken, posting a 5-2-1 record with a 2.11 goals-against average (GAA) and a .930 save percentage in eight career meetings.

Fleury’s leadership and consistency will provide a solid backbone for the Wild as they look to carry their momentum forward in this young season.

NHL GAME PREDICTIONS & BETTING TIPS

Seattle Kraken Seek a Bounce-Back Win

Seattle is hoping to get its first win of the season after dropping a 3-2 decision to the St. Louis Blues in their home opener. Despite goals from Vince Dunn and Eeli Tolvanen, the Kraken struggled to generate consistent offense, and some key players underperformed. Forwards Jaden Schwartz and Chandler Stephenson both finished with a minus-2 rating and failed to register points, highlighting the need for more contributions across the board.

Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer will make his second start of the season. He stopped 22 of 25 shots against St. Louis and is looking for a stronger showing against Minnesota. Last season, Grubauer posted a 14-16-2 record with a 2.85 GAA and a .899 save percentage. While his numbers were underwhelming, he had a solid performance against Minnesota in their most recent meeting, stopping 17 of 18 shots. Grubauer’s play in net will be crucial if Seattle hopes to slow down Minnesota’s offense.

Line Shuffling for the Kraken

Seattle head coach Dan Bylsma isn’t waiting long to shake up his lines in an effort to spark more offense. One of the most notable changes is moving highly touted center Shane Wright onto a line with Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann. Wright impressed in his NHL debut, and Bylsma is keen to find the right combination to maximize his potential.

“We want to explore different alignments early in the season to see who clicks the best,” Bylsma explained. “It’s not a finished product, and we’ll continue to adjust as the season unfolds.”

The Kraken will also look for more production from their top-line center Matty Beniers, who is expected to skate alongside Eeli Tolvanen and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Beniers, a Calder Trophy contender last season, is seen as a key to Seattle’s future success. If he can get rolling, it could change the dynamic of this game.

Team History and Rivalry Insights

Minnesota and Seattle faced off three times last season, with the Wild winning two of those matchups and outscoring the Kraken 11-6 across the series. Fleury’s dominance in the net was a critical factor in the Wild’s success, and he will likely need another stellar performance to keep the Kraken in check.

On the other hand, Seattle’s adjustments and early-season experimentation make them a bit of a wild card. The Kraken are still finding their identity as a team, but if their new line combinations click, they could pose a serious challenge for Minnesota.

Key Players to Watch

• Matt Boldy (Wild): Fresh off a three-point night, Boldy’s offensive skillset makes him the top player to watch.
• Marc-Andre Fleury (Wild): With 21 years of NHL experience, Fleury will bring his veteran poise to his first start of the season.
• Shane Wright (Kraken): The highly touted rookie moves into a more prominent role on a line with Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann.
• Philipp Grubauer (Kraken): Seattle’s goaltender will be under pressure to elevate his game against Minnesota’s potent offense.

Conclusion

As the Minnesota Wild look to make it two wins in a row and the Seattle Kraken aim for their first victory of the season, all eyes will be on the key players and lineup changes. Matt Boldy’s rapid development could be a game-changer for the Wild, while Seattle’s line adjustments are a strategic move by Coach Dan Bylsma to spark more offense. The goaltending duel between Marc-Andre Fleury and Philipp Grubauer will also be pivotal in determining the outcome.

With both teams still refining their lineups early in the season, this game promises to be an exciting clash of talent, strategy, and momentum.