Minnesota Wild vs Nashville Predators Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024

Minnesota Wild vs Nashville Predators December 31st 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Predators 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 Central division contest is set at 5.5 goals, with the Wild being favored by -1.5 at home against the Predators.

Nashville vs. Minnesota Key Information

• Teams: Predators at Wild
• Where: Xcel Energy Center St. Paul
• Date: Tuesday, December 31st
• Betting Odds MIN -157 | NAS +133 O/U 5.5

The Predators Can Win If…

Nashville improved to 11-19-7 with a 5-2 win over the Avalanche. The Predators covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second period, Nashville responded with five unanswered goals. Five different players scored for the Predators, including two empty-netters in the third period.

Nashville’s offense found the net five times in their 5-2 victory over Colorado. The Predators were held scoreless in the first period before Steven Stamkos netted his second goal of the season on a power play. Colton Sissons followed with his first goal of the year, and Roman Josi added another power-play goal, his first of the season.

Filip Forsberg scored his seventh goal on an empty net, while Gustav Nyquist closed the scoring with his fourth, also on an empty net. Nashville took 25 shots on goal and recorded 15 giveaways.

Defensively, Juuse Saros made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage for the Predators. Nashville’s defense also had 4 takeaways, 23 hits, and 25 blocks. The Predators gave up the first goal 2:54 into the second period and another late in the third, but they held on for a 5-2 win.

• Across Nashville’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Against the spread, Nashville went 1-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Predators have gone 4-6 straight up. Against the spread, Nashville went 3-7 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Wild Can Win If…

The Wild improved to 22-11-4 after a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs. Minnesota, favored by -1.5 goals, didn’t cover the puck line. The total was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short.

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

Ryan Hartman netted his third goal of the season, scoring 9:41 into the first period. Matt Boldy followed with his sixth goal, which came 2:14 into overtime to secure the win for Minnesota.

Jared Spurgeon contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to three. The Wild fired 33 shots on goal but gave the puck away 15 times.

Defensively, the Wild will look to carry momentum into their next game after allowing just 1 goal to Toronto. Goalie Filip Gustavsson had a strong performance, making 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage. The Wild’s defense also tallied 7 takeaways and 22 hits. The only goal they allowed came on a Maple Leafs power play late in the first period.

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• Spanning across their last three games, Minnesota have gone 2-1. But, they did not perform well vs the puck line in these games, going 1-2. Their over-under record in these matchups was 1-2.
• Across Minnesota’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. Across these games, their puck line record was just 4-6, while posting an over-under record of 4-6.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Wild to pick up on a win over the Predators at home. With the moneyline sitting at -157, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Wild straight-up.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Predators to cover. Even in the event of a Wild victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Predators 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.

Wild vs. Predators: A Must-Watch Clash in Saint Paul

The Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators are set to face off Tuesday night in Saint Paul, and if their last meeting is anything to go by, this game could be another nail-biter. Both teams are looking for a win to get back on track, so expect a hard-fought battle from start to finish.

Wild Want to Close the Year Strong

The Wild (17-12-2) are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, and let’s just say head coach John Hynes wasn’t thrilled. He’s made it clear he wants to see more discipline and smarter play from his team as they wrap up 2024.

The players are on the same page. Mats Zuccarello summed it up perfectly:

In net, Minnesota has two solid options. Filip Gustavsson has been a rock this season, posting a 2.25 GAA and a .923 save percentage. Marc-Andre Fleury is another dependable option, ready to step up if needed.

Predators Need a Spark

Nashville (14-15-3) is struggling. They’ve dropped two straight games, including a 3-0 shutout to the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, and have gone 4-7-1 in their last 12 outings.

In an effort to shake things up, the Predators called up forward Vinnie Hinostroza from the AHL. While he didn’t score in his debut against Winnipeg, his league-leading 33 points in 26 games hint at some serious offensive potential.

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“It feels great to be here,” Hinostroza said. “The guys are great, and it’s easy to walk in the locker room when everyone’s so approachable.”

Goaltending could be a wild card for Nashville. Backup Justus Annunen might get the nod after Juuse Saros played Monday. Annunen’s been solid since joining the team, boasting a 2-1-0 record and a .941 save percentage in his last three games.

What Happened Last Time

The last time these two teams met, Minnesota pulled out a 3-2 overtime win on Nov. 30, thanks to Jared Spurgeon’s game-winning goal. It was a back-and-forth battle, and this rematch could deliver the same level of excitement.

What to Watch For

Minnesota

• Staying Disciplined: The Wild need to clean up their game and focus on fundamentals, like strong forechecking and smart puck management.
• Who’s in Net?: Whether it’s Gustavsson or Fleury, Minnesota’s goaltending will be a key factor in this matchup.

Nashville

• Hinostroza’s Role: Can he bring the scoring touch that made him an AHL standout? The Predators could use the boost.
• Backup in Action: If Annunen starts, his ability to handle Minnesota’s offense will be crucial.

Why This Game Matters

For the Wild, this is about rebounding from a tough loss and ending the year on a high note. For the Predators, it’s a chance to break out of their slump and find some consistency.

With both teams hungry for a win, this one’s shaping up to be a hard-fought battle in Saint Paul. Don’t miss it—it’s going to be a good one!