Minnesota Wild vs Arizona Coyotes Picks and Predictions December 20th 2024

Minnesota Wild Set to Face Arizona Coyotes in Key Matchup

The Minnesota Wild return to action on Friday night, hosting the Arizona Coyotes at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn. Both teams are looking to solidify their footing as the midpoint of the season approaches.

Wild Looking to Rebound

The Wild are eager to bounce back from a tough 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Despite the setback, Minnesota remains a dangerous team, led by star forward Kirill Kaprizov. Kaprizov is off to the best start of his career, tallying 48 points (22 goals, 26 assists) in 31 games. He leads the NHL in even-strength goals (19) and has been a consistent force for Minnesota this season.

Matt Boldy has been another bright spot for the Wild, with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 32 games. Marco Rossi has chipped in 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists), providing secondary scoring support.

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Minnesota’s defense and goaltending will need to step up, particularly with Filip Gustavsson sidelined by a lower-body injury. Marc-Andre Fleury, with a 6-2-1 record this season, is expected to start after a challenging outing against Florida.

“We’ve hit a rough patch, but this team knows how to fight through adversity,” said Wild coach Dean Evason. “We’ll look to make a statement against Arizona.”

Coyotes Riding Momentum

The Coyotes come into the game on a high note after a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. Clayton Keller scored the game-winner and continues to lead Arizona offensively with 11 goals and 19 assists this season. Keller and Dylan Guenther, who has 14 goals and 16 assists, have been instrumental in Arizona’s recent success.

Arizona’s Logan Cooley, the rookie sensation, has also been a key contributor with 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists). The Coyotes have shown resilience, earning points in six straight games (5-0-1).

Arizona’s goaltending tandem of Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram has been solid. Vejmelka earned the win against Vancouver, stopping 24 of 26 shots. He holds a 7-7-2 record with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage this season.

“We’re finding ways to win close games, and that’s been a huge step for us,” said Coyotes coach André Tourigny. “The guys are buying in, and we’re starting to see the results.”

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Key Matchup: Kaprizov vs. Keller

A marquee matchup to watch will be between the two offensive catalysts, Kaprizov and Keller. Both players have been pivotal for their respective teams and could be the difference-makers in this game. Kaprizov’s dynamic scoring ability will test Arizona’s defense, while Keller’s knack for clutch goals will keep Minnesota on its toes.

Special Teams Battle

Both teams will need to shore up their penalty-killing units. The Coyotes and Wild rank near the bottom of the league in penalty-kill success, but Colorado’s recent improvement—killing 16 of the last 17 penalties—could be a factor.

Game Outlook

The Wild will look to protect home ice and end their brief skid, while the Coyotes aim to extend their point streak. With star players on both sides and a playoff-like intensity building, this game promises to be an exciting clash between two teams with plenty to prove.