The Minnesota Wild (28-25-6) and Nashville Predators (33-25-2) will battle it out for the third time this season on Thursday, February 29 at 8:00 PM ET, which offers a great NHL betting opportunity. ZenSports Tennessee sportsbook showcases the Predators as favorites with a moneyline at -125.
When: February 29, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET
Where: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee
Watch: NHLPP|ESPN+
Minnesota Wild Preview
The Wild are sixth in the Central Division and are 3-2 over their last five games. Their most recent battle was a 3-2 defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes, snapping their two-game win streak.
Several key players contribute to their success on offense that you should keep an eye on. Kirill Kaprizov leads with 63 points, Joel Eriksson Ek with 28 goals, and Mats Zuccarello with 39 assists. Together, the three of them have a competitive advantage over the Predators lineup.
The Wild score an average of 3.14 goals and attempt 30.1 shots per game. Their power play percentage stands at a sturdy 22.2, netting 46 goals while allowing 51. This performance slightly surpasses that of the Predators.
On the defensive end, they concede an average of 3.29 goals and face 30.4 shots per game, indicating a slight deficit compared to their offensive statistics. Additionally, their defensive strength is evident with a 74.6 penalty kill percentage, but is slightly lower than that of the Predators.
Nashville Predators Preview
The Predators have looked like a completely different team in their current six-game win streak. In their most recent success, they defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1. On top of that, they have scored four goals or more in each win over their six game stretch.
Two key players help drive the Predators’ offensive prowess. Filip Forsberg currently leads with 60 points and 28 goals, while Roman Josi has been excellent in finding open teammates with 43 assists to bolster their puck movement.
In terms of offensive statistics, the Predators average 3.10 goals and 31.1 shot attempts per game. They showcase a 18.8 power play percentage from 39 goals scored and 46 allowed. This has shown improvement over their last six games.
On the defensive end, they concede an average of 3.13 goals and face 30.3 shots per game, reflecting a slight negative margin compared to their offensive stats. However, their recent performances have been impressive to alter these stats. Furthermore, their penalty kill percentage stands at 75.7, slightly higher than the Wild.
Betting Odds
ZenSports Tennessee sportsbook offers excellent NHL betting odds designed for Tennessee sports fans. The Nashville Predators are currently favored to win at home with a record of 15-15-0. In contrast, the Wild hold a road record of 14-13-2 and are essentially a coin flip alongside the Predators.
Minnesota Wild: +102
Puck Line: +1.5 (-238)
Nashville Predators: -125
Puck Line: -1.5 (+190)
Totals: Over 6.0 (-119), Under 6.0 (-103)
Photo Credit: © Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
