Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens Picks and Predictions November 14th 2024

Minnesota Wild vs Montreal Canadiens November 14th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Canadiens and Wild. The game is starting at 8:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Wild at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this game is set at 6.5 goals, and the Wild are favored by -1.5 vs. the Canadiens in a non-conference matchup.

Montreal vs. Minnesota Key Information

Montreal’s 3-1 loss to the Penguins dropped their record to 5-9-2. The Canadiens entered as underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 4 fell short of that mark.

The Penguins scored the first two goals before Christian Dvorak put Montreal on the board in the third period. Pittsburgh added an empty-net goal to seal the game.

Montreal’s offense managed just one goal in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. Christian Dvorak found the net for the first time this season, scoring 5:32 into the third period. Emil Heineman picked up his first assist, while Juraj Slafkovsky added his 7th assist of the year.

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The Canadiens took 26 shots on goal but were hampered by 20 giveaways. They went scoreless in the first two periods before Dvorak’s goal in the third.

Defensively, the Canadiens will look to improve after allowing the first two goals in their previous game against Pittsburgh, including one at 18:40 in the second period. They also gave up an empty-netter with 45 seconds left in the third. Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, and the defense added 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 10-2-3. Minnesota was favored on the puck line, but didn’t cover. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the 3 combined goals fell short of that mark.

Ryan Hartman scored first 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 netted the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime.

Ryan Hartman netted his third goal of the season, getting the Wild on the board at 9:41 in the first period. Matt Boldy followed with his sixth goal, securing the win with an overtime strike at 2:14.

Jared Spurgeon contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to three. The Wild fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second and third periods.

Defensively, the Wild will look to build off their previous performance, where they allowed just 1 goal to the Maple Leafs. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves and posted a 96.4% save percentage. As a team, the Wild finished with 7 takeaways and 22 hits.

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Canadiens to pick up on a win over the Wild and the road. With the moneyline sitting at +217, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Canadiens straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Canadiens winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Canadiens straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Wild Return Home Looking to Extend Point Streak Against Canadiens

The Minnesota Wild are eager to get back to the comfort of their home ice as they prepare to host the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night in St. Paul, Minnesota. After spending much of their early season on the road, the Wild will be playing their first home game in nine days, hoping to build on their strong start.

Homecoming for the Wild

Minnesota has navigated a road-heavy schedule to open the season, playing 10 of their first 15 games away from home. Despite that, they’ve managed to pick up at least one point in all but two contests, boasting a 10-2-3 record. They come into this game riding a three-game point streak (2-0-1).

Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum at home: “We want to play good at home. We want to make something out of this hot start and keep this going.”

Kirill Kaprizov has been leading the charge for Minnesota, with an impressive 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 15 games. He’s been effective at both even strength and on the power play. Following close behind is Matt Boldy, who has tallied 16 points (nine goals, seven assists), while veteran Mats Zuccarello has contributed 14 points (six goals, eight assists).

Defense has also been a key to the Wild’s success, with veteran Marcus Foligno highlighting their efficient puck movement: “When we break the puck out fast and make smart plays, it boosts our confidence. At home, we need to correct things quickly if we’re on our heels.”

Goaltender Filip Gustavsson is expected to get the nod in net. He’s been solid this season, posting a 7-2-2 record with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. However, his track record against Montreal is less stellar, with a 1-2-1 record and a 3.64 GAA in four career meetings.

Canadiens Looking to Build on Momentum

The Montreal Canadiens have had a rockier start to their season, going 1-5-1 in their last seven games. However, they snapped a six-game winless streak with an explosive 7-5 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.

Captain Nick Suzuki had a breakout game, notching two goals and two assists to bring his season total to 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 16 games. The Canadiens also saw contributions from young star Cole Caufield, who added two goals, and former top pick Juraj Slafkovsky, who dished out three assists.

Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis was pleased to see Suzuki regain his form: “(Suzuki) needed a game like that. It’s great to see him breathe a little bit. This team needed that outcome, and I think ‘Suzy’ needed it too.”

The Canadiens will turn to goaltender Sam Montembeault for this matchup. Montembeault has had a challenging season so far with a 4-7-1 record, a 3.42 GAA, and an .890 save percentage. His career numbers against Minnesota aren’t much better, standing at 1-1-1 with a 3.60 GAA.

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Key Matchups to Watch

1. Kaprizov vs. Canadiens’ Defense: Kaprizov has been an offensive dynamo for the Wild, and Montreal’s defense will have their hands full trying to contain him. With the Canadiens struggling defensively, allowing five or more goals in several games recently, stopping Kaprizov will be crucial.
2. Goaltender Duel: Filip Gustavsson has been steady for the Wild, while Montembeault has had an inconsistent start to the season. If Montembeault can rise to the occasion, it might give the Canadiens a fighting chance against Minnesota’s high-powered offense.
3. Special Teams Impact: The Wild’s ability to generate offense on the power play, led by Kaprizov and Boldy, could be a decisive factor, especially against a Canadiens team that has been vulnerable on the penalty kill.

Can the Wild Capitalize on Home Ice?

Returning home after a long stretch on the road, the Wild are looking to extend their point streak and build on their early-season success. For Montreal, it’s about proving that their win over Buffalo wasn’t just a fluke but a turning point in their season.

Will Minnesota’s homecoming be a triumphant one, or can the Canadiens build on their recent offensive explosion to spoil the Wild’s return? With both teams looking to gain momentum, Thursday’s game promises to be an exciting clash of contrasting styles.