Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions November 29th 2024

Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks November 29th 2024

The Blackhawks and Wild are set to face off at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. The Wild will host the game at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 5.5 goals, and the Wild are favored by -1.5 vs. the Blackhawks.

Chicago vs. Minnesota Key Information

With a 4-2 win over the Ducks, the Blackhawks improved to 8-12-2 this season. Chicago covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total of 6 goals fell just short of the 6.5 line.

All four of Chicago’s goals came from different players, and they held Anaheim scoreless until the third period. The Ducks’ second goal came with only 4 seconds left in the game.

In their 4-2 win over the Ducks, the Blackhawks got on the board with Isaak Phillips’ first goal of the season. Teuvo Teravainen followed with his fourth, while Seth Jones recorded his second goal. Ryan Donato added his seventh goal of the season in the third period.

Be the First to Know Today’s NHL Picks! Check out the most recent NHL hockey picks today.

Chicago took 29 shots on goal and scored twice on the power play. Connor Bedard contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to nine. The Blackhawks registered 12 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Blackhawks will look to carry over their performance from the previous game, where they allowed just two goals to Anaheim. Arvid Söderblom made 38 saves, finishing with a 95% save percentage. The defense also contributed 6 takeaways and 5 hits.

With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 14-4-4 this season. Minnesota was favored on the puck line, but the game’s total of 3 goals fell well short of the pre-game line of 6.

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 netted the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime.

Ryan Hartman put the Wild on the board early in the first period, netting his third goal of the season. Matt Boldy followed with his sixth goal, scoring 2:14 into overtime to secure the win. Both Hartman and Boldy took three shots on goal.

The Wild fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second and third periods. Jared Spurgeon contributed two assists, bringing his season total to three, while Marco Rossi added his seventh assist on Boldy’s overtime goal.

Defensively, the Wild will look to build on their previous performance, where they allowed just one goal to the Maple Leafs. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves, finishing with a 96.4% save percentage. The only goal they allowed came on a power play late in the first period. The Wild’s defense also contributed 7 takeaways and 22 hits.

For those seeking a straight moneyline bet, the Wild are the top choice. Nonetheless, with a payout of -244, you might want to use this bet as a part of a parlay to get better odds.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Blackhawks to cover. Even if the Wild manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Blackhawks should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Blackhawks Look to Build on Momentum Against Defensive-Minded Wild

The Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks face off Friday afternoon in Saint Paul, Minn., in a matchup of teams at opposite ends of the NHL standings. While Minnesota boasts one of the league’s best records, Chicago enters with rare momentum following a dominant win.

Wild: Defensive Masterclass

Minnesota (15-5-2) is coming off a gritty 1-0 road win over the Buffalo Sabres, where their defense took center stage. Filip Gustavsson stopped all 39 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season, while his teammates blocked 32 additional shots, one shy of the franchise record.

Hynes Praises Team’s Balance

Wild coach John Hynes applauded his team’s effort, particularly their ability to balance defensive intensity with offensive pressure.
“I liked the fact that it was a tight game, and I thought that we continued to push for offense,” Hynes said. “When we had to defend hard, we did, but we also pushed.”

Kaprizov in Hart Trophy Form

Kirill Kaprizov provided all the offense Minnesota needed, scoring the game’s lone goal in the first period. The former Calder Trophy winner is tied for second in the NHL with 35 points, further cementing his case as one of the league’s elite players.

Blackhawks: A Rare Bright Spot

Chicago (7-14-1) broke out offensively in a 6-2 rout of the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, snapping a stretch of four losses in five games. Taylor Hall delivered a vintage performance, notching his first hat trick in nearly 11 years.

Hall Finds His Form

The 2018 Hart Trophy winner entered the game with just two goals and six points in 20 appearances this season. Wednesday’s outburst came less than two weeks after Hall was a healthy scratch against Nashville, a decision that sparked a candid conversation with coach Luke Richardson.
“He played a complete game,” Richardson said. “He wasn’t just happy with his three goals. He played hard for (goalie) Petr (Mrazek), backchecking hard and helping the defense out.”

Youthful Contributions

While veterans like Hall and Teuvo Teravainen provided leadership, the Blackhawks continue to lean on their young core, led by Connor Bedard. The reigning Calder Trophy winner scored his fourth goal of the season against Dallas, snapping a month-long drought.

Tonight’s NHL Insights Are Here! Check our NHL hockey free picks and get ready for game time.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Kaprizov vs. Mrazek: The Wild’s star forward will look to break through Chicago’s goaltending after his decisive goal against Buffalo.
2. Hall’s Momentum: Can Taylor Hall carry his confidence into a game against one of the league’s top defensive teams?
3. Defensive Discipline: Minnesota’s league-leading road record and defensive prowess will be tested by Chicago’s offensive resurgence.
4. Young Stars’ Impact: Connor Bedard aims to build on his goal Wednesday, while Minnesota’s disciplined defense will try to neutralize him.

Series History and Trends

• Previous Meeting: Chicago defeated Minnesota 2-1 in overtime on Nov. 10.
• Wild’s Defense: Minnesota has allowed just one goal over its last two games, highlighting their defensive strength.
• Blackhawks’ Offense: Chicago’s six-goal performance Wednesday was an anomaly, as the team ranks 27th in the league with 2.5 goals per game.

What’s at Stake

The Wild aim to continue their dominant play and maintain their position near the top of the Central Division standings. For the Blackhawks, Friday represents a chance to prove their offensive explosion wasn’t a fluke and build some consistency in what has been a challenging season.

Will Minnesota’s defense hold firm, or can Chicago’s veterans and youngsters combine for another inspired effort? This Central Division clash offers plenty of intrigue as both teams look to establish momentum.