Arizona Coyotes vs Minnesota Wild Picks and Predictions December 10th 2024

Utah Aims to Build on Rare Win Streak Against League-Leading Wild

Tuesday night’s clash in Salt Lake City pits two teams navigating uncharacteristic scenarios: the Minnesota Wild, one of the league’s top teams, looking to bounce back from a rare loss, and the Utah Hockey Club, riding a two-game winning streak for the first time since the season’s opening stretch.

Minnesota Wild: Staying Dominant Amid Challenges

The Wild (20-4-0), tied for the league’s top spot with 40 points, are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Despite their strong form, the loss highlighted some inefficiencies, particularly in generating offense during the first two periods.

Minnesota managed just 10 shots in the first 40 minutes of their last game, a rarity for a team known for its offensive depth. Coach John Hynes remained positive about the effort, emphasizing the team’s late push in the third period. Defenseman Zach Bogosian praised the Wild’s resilience, adding that their tenacity will pay off in the long run.

The Wild’s stars, including Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman, will aim to reignite their scoring against Utah. Minnesota’s defense, one of the league’s best, will also look to maintain its form as they start a stretch of winnable games.

Utah Hockey Club: Momentum at Last

Utah (7-17-2) has endured a challenging season but has newfound energy following back-to-back wins over Buffalo and Philadelphia. These victories mark their first winning streak since October and highlight improved team chemistry.

In their win against the Flyers, Logan Cooley broke a power-play drought with a decisive goal, while Juuso Valimaki and Michael Carcone continued to shine on offense. Defenseman Valimaki credited the team’s confidence and persistence as key factors in their recent success.

Coach Andre Tourigny praised the team’s ability to manage the puck and capitalize on opportunities, especially during their five-goal surge against Buffalo on Saturday.

Key Matchup to Watch

The power play could be pivotal in this game. Utah’s improved performance with the man advantage will be tested by Minnesota’s disciplined penalty kill, which ranks among the league’s best. Additionally, goaltending could make the difference as Utah’s Jaxson Stauber faces a formidable Wild offense, while Minnesota’s Filip Gustavsson aims to bounce back after a rare off-night.

What’s at Stake

For Utah, a win against one of the league’s elite teams would signal significant progress and bolster morale. For Minnesota, rebounding with a dominant road victory would reestablish their momentum and maintain their lead in the standings.

Check out NHL Metropolitan Division Odds & Predictions for detailed insights and analysis.

Prediction

While Utah’s recent improvements are promising, Minnesota’s depth, experience, and defensive prowess should prevail in this matchup. Expect a competitive game, but the Wild have the edge.