Welcome to back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey take a look at the games, breaking down the key matchups and providing relevant analysis to how they might play out. Today, we feature the Montreal Canadiens as they visit the State of Hockey to take on the Minnesota Wild. Don’t forget to check out all the action, as our writers continue our NHL predictions throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens (5-9-2) at Minnesota Wild (10-2-3), from Xcel Energy Center
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: RDS, TSN2, ESPN+
Regular Season Series Montreal was 0-1-1 against Minnesota in 2023-24
Montreal Is Searching for Direction as We Play in Mid-November
The Montreal Canadiens are an organization that has been in a well-known rebuild over the past few seasons. Moreover, this season, although they weren’t expected to make the playoffs, they were suppose to show that the fruits of their labour are beginning to blossom. Yes, there are some positive signs, but the fact that the club is in the basement of the Atlantic Division, there is some disappointment, understandably so.
One upside of the Canadiens team is the trio of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky. When everything is going as planned, the three make up the club’s respectable top line. Combined, they have 41 points in 45 games played thus far in 2024-25. However, the problem has been injuries and a lack of supporting production. The fact of the matter is right now, that the Canadiens forward group as a whole are not productive enough. Until the rest of the lineup can establish more offensive consistency, this will be just another factor causing the team to struggle.
Sam Montembeault is the confirmed starter for Montreal tonight. As a starter, his numbers have been leaving some to be desired. A 4-7-1 record and 3.42 goals-against average just isn’t going to get it done on a regular basis at the NHL level. This is another factor, along with the lack of offensive depth, causing Montreal to struggle. Combined with the Wild being hot this season, this is going to be a difficult battle for Montreal tonight.
The Minnesota Wild Are Playing Well to Begin ’24-25
Some of the Wild best players are playing up to expectations and beyond. The Thrill Kirill Kaprizov is second in the NHL in scoring, with 28 points in 15 games so far. Furthermore, if we do a matchup comparison with the Habs, Matt Boldy is right there with the Habs leading scorer. Suzuki has 17 points, while Boldy has nine goals and seven assists for 16 points, good for second on his team in scoring.
Another player playing well for Minnesota is their confirmed starter for tonight, Filip Gustavsson. Gustavsson is among the goaltending leaders. His .919 save percentage is fifth in the NHL and his 2.27 GAA is third.
They also have some highlights on the blueline. Brock Faber is backing up his sensational rookie season that saw him finish second in Calder Trophy voting. Faber, along with his normal partner Jacob Middleton, have emerged as a premier pairing in the NHL. In 194 minutes paired up together, they have an xGoals% of 53.6. In addition, Gustavsson’s stats are a testament to the play of the team’s defence pairing alignment beyond the top pairing.
NHL Predictions: Wild and Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens seem to be in tough in this one. It may be early in the season, by Minnesota already outpaces Montreal by 11 points in the standings. Look for Minnesota to keep the good times rolling and prevail in this one.
Prediction: Minnesota win in regulation, 4-2.
According to Fanduel, if we want to look at adding some friendly wagers on the outcomes, check these out. Take Minnesota for the spread of -1.5 at -105. For anytime goal scorers, Caufield at +185 is a safe and secure selection. For Minnesota, we like the payout on Marco Rossi at +260. If those three bets hit on a three-leg, same game parlay, it is paying +1912.
Main Photo: David Gonzales-USA TODAY Sports
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