New York Rangers vs Minnesota Wild Picks and Predictions April 2nd 2025

New York Rangers vs Minnesota Wild April 2nd 2025

Looking to win big? The Wild and Rangers face off at 7:00 ET on MSGS. The Rangers are hosting the game at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 5.5 goals, with the Rangers being the favored by -1.5 goals against the Wild.

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Minnesota vs. New York Key Information

• Teams: Wild at Rangers
• Where: Madison Square Garden New York
• Date: Wednesday, April 2nd
• Betting Odds NYR -158 | MIN +133 O/U 5.5

The Wild Can Win If…

With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 41-29-6. Minnesota was favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short.

Ryan Hartman put the Wild on the board first, scoring at 9:41 in the first period. The Maple Leafs tied it with just 52 seconds left in the first, but Matt Boldy’s goal at 2:14 in overtime secured the win for Minnesota.

In their latest game, the Wild took 33 shots on goal but only managed to find the back of the net twice. Ryan Hartman scored his third goal of the season, while Matt Boldy added his sixth, with his goal coming 2:14 into overtime.

Jared Spurgeon contributed two assists, bringing his season total to three. The Wild had 15 giveaways in the game.

Filip Gustavsson’s 27 saves and 96.4% save percentage helped the Wild secure a 2-1 overtime win over the Maple Leafs. Defensively, Minnesota recorded 7 takeaways and 22 hits. The only goal they allowed came on a power play late in the first period.

• Across Minnesota’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 2-1 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Across Minnesota’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 6-4 to go along with an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Rangers Can Win If…

The Rangers moved to 35-32-7 with a 5-2 win over the Islanders. Entering the game as -1.5 goal favorites, they covered the puck line with ease. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined 7 goals pushed the game over.

Four different players scored for the Rangers, with Artemi Panarin leading the way with two goals. The Rangers built a 2-0 lead before the Islanders responded, but the Rangers pulled away with two more goals in the third period.

Artemi Panarin led the way for the Rangers with two goals, bringing his season total to 9. He scored his 8th goal on a power play in the second period and added an empty-netter in the third. Chris Kreider opened the scoring with his 8th goal, coming on a shorthanded play in the first period. Vincent Trocheck netted his 4th goal, while Adam Edstrom added his 1st of the season.

Mika Zibanejad contributed with three assists, giving him 8 for the season. The Rangers fired 40 shots on goal, with 14 giveaways. They scored twice in the second period and added two more in the third.

On defense, the Rangers will look to build off their last performance, where they allowed just 2 goals to the Islanders. Igor Shesterkin made 35 saves, finishing with a 94.6% save percentage. The Rangers’ defense also recorded 10 takeaways, 19 hits, and 18 blocks.

• Through their last three regular season contests, New York has a record of 1-2. This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Rangers have gone 4-6 straight up. This includes going 4-6 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Rangers to defeat the Wild while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at -158, I’m placing a wager on the Rangers to win outright.

When it comes to my suggested pick for the puck line, I’d advise taking the Wild to cover. Even in the event of a Rangers victory, this matchup is likely to remain closely contested, and the Wild should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Rangers Cling to Hope vs. Wild Team Seeking to Stabilize Playoff Standing

The New York Rangers haven’t lived up to expectations this season, but they remain in the fight. As the playoff race tightens, Wednesday’s clash with the Minnesota Wild represents a pivotal opportunity for both teams to solidify their postseason hopes.

Rangers Looking for a Late-Season Spark

After salvaging their West Coast trip with a 6-1 rout of the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, the Rangers (35-32-7, 77 points) return home with renewed optimism. The win kept them within striking distance of the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot and snapped a brief two-game skid.

Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox each scored twice in that victory, helping the Rangers inch closer to Montreal and Columbus in the crowded playoff picture. The Canadiens and Blue Jackets both entered Tuesday with 75 points, meaning New York’s margin for error is razor thin with just eight games remaining.

“We’ve made it a little bit difficult for ourselves,” head coach Peter Laviolette said, “but the guys are still dialed in on collecting points. We’re still pushing for something.”

New York could receive a lift Wednesday with the NHL debut of highly touted prospect Gabe Perreault. The 19-year-old winger signed his entry-level deal Monday after wrapping up a standout season with Boston College. He joins a roster still searching for consistency but clinging to hope.

Wild Aiming to Hold Off Surging Blues

The Minnesota Wild (41-28-6, 88 points) have little breathing room of their own. They’ve dropped four of their last five games and now sit just one point ahead of the red-hot St. Louis Blues, who entered Tuesday on a nine-game winning streak.

Minnesota’s shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday at least ensured a valuable point in the standings. Third-period goals from Vinnie Hinostroza and Matt Brody kept the Wild in the hunt and helped them force overtime.

“It’s a huge point, obviously,” Hinostroza said. “Especially when we’re down 2-1 late.”

But the Wild know they need to tighten up. The once-solid grip on the top wild-card spot is slipping, and the Blues — along with looming matchups on the schedule — could alter Minnesota’s path quickly if their slump continues.

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What’s at Stake

The Rangers are battling not just the Wild but the clock. Every point matters in their pursuit of a last-gasp playoff berth, and their schedule doesn’t get easier with playoff contenders lined up ahead. The Wild, meanwhile, are trying to stop their slide before the postseason hits, knowing seeding could determine their chances of advancing.

With both teams fighting for something, expect an intense, playoff-caliber battle at Madison Square Garden.