The Minnesota Wild return home after a five-game road trip to take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. The game will be played at Xcel Energy Center, where the Wild have struggled with an 11-12-1 record this season. The Hurricanes are looking to bounce back from a two-game losing streak and improve on their 12-12-3 record on the road.
Minnesota has had a sharp contrast in performance depending on location. Their scoring at home is among the lowest in the league at 2.58 goals per game. Carolina has struggled on the power play, converting just one of their last 25 attempts. Both teams will be looking to break out of recent slumps.
Wild Preview – Home Ice Struggles Continue?
The Wild have been one of the best road teams in the NHL but have struggled at home. Their 2.58 goals per game at home ranks 31st in the league. Defensively, they allow 3.29 goals per game at home, ranking near the bottom of the NHL.
Marco Rossi has been a bright spot for Minnesota, tallying 46 points in 54 games. With Kirill Kaprizov out due to injury, Rossi has stepped up as a key offensive player. Minnesota’s power play at home has been inconsistent, failing to capitalize on key chances.
Defensively, the penalty kill at home is a major concern, operating at just 61.1 percent. Goaltending will need to be sharp, with Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson expected to split time in net. The Wild will need a strong defensive effort to contain Carolina’s offensive attack.
Hurricanes Preview – Power Play Woes Continue
Carolina is also looking to break out of a slump, losing their last two games and scoring just two total goals. Their power play has been a major issue, converting only one of their last 25 chances. Sebastian Aho leads the team with 52 points, but he has been held scoreless in the past two games.
Goaltending has been a strength for the Hurricanes, with Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov splitting starts. Andersen has a .913 save percentage in limited action, while Kochetkov has posted a .903 save percentage. Carolina’s defense has been strong overall, allowing just 2.83 goals per game.
The Hurricanes are 6-0-1 in their last seven games before their recent two-game losing streak. They will need their power play to find success to get back on track. The Hurricanes’ ability to control possession and limit Minnesota’s offense will be key.
Betting Prediction
Carolina is a -160 favorite on the moneyline, while Minnesota is a +135 underdog. The total is set at 5.5 goals, with both sides listed at -110. Carolina won the last meeting 4-0 on January 4, shutting down Minnesota’s offense.
Carolina has been a strong defensive team, and with Minnesota struggling to score at home, the under looks like a solid play. The Hurricanes should have the edge in this matchup, especially if their power play can break through. Expect a close, low-scoring game.
Pick: Under 5.5 goals (-110)
This should be a fun game but do not expect a ton of goals. Take the UNDER here!
