NHL Betting Preview: Wild vs Ducks | Will the Wild Dominate?

• The Wild are 15-2 in their last 17 games against the Ducks and enter as -200 betting favorites.
• Minnesota has won 11 of their last 13 games at Honda Center, outscoring Anaheim 43-20 in that span.
• Anaheim is 2-16 since the start of the 2023 season when they are an underdog at home with odds around +185.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Minnesota Wild head to Anaheim tonight for the second game of their season series against the Ducks. Minnesota dominated the first matchup in November with a 5-2 victory, and they’re heavily favored again at -200 odds.

But betting on NHL goes far beyond picking a winner. Here’s a breakdown of key trends, player stats, and betting recommendations to consider before the puck drops at 10 p.m. ET.

Minnesota’s Defensive Dominance

The Wild’s defense has been rock-solid recently and on the road as favorites of around -200. With the confidence, they haven’t allowed more than two goals in any of their last six games.

With Filip Gustavsson in net, the Wild have one of the league’s best goaltenders, boasting a 2.04 goals-against average. Against an Anaheim team scoring a league-worst 60 goals (2.5 goals per game), there’s value in betting on the Ducks’ scoring struggles to continue.

• Play: Anaheim under 2.5 goals (-130)

Anaheim’s Home Underdog Woes

Anaheim has struggled mightily as a home underdog, posting a dismal 2-16 record in such situations since the start of the 2023 season. In those 18 games, they’ve exceeded two goals just once – giving even more confidence to the previous legal sports bet.

Even with promising veterans like Troy Terry and young stars like Mason McTavish, the Ducks remain inconsistent offensively.

• Pick: Wild to cover the puck line (-1.5, +120)

Low-Scoring Trends

The under has hit in the last five Anaheim games regardless of situation. Even with a projected total of 5.5 goals (which happened in the last four games for the Ducks), the under hit. Combine Minnesota’s defensive discipline with Anaheim’s offensive struggles, and the under looks like a solid play.

• Bet: Under 5.5 goals (-110)

Player Prop to Watch

• Kirill Kaprizov Anytime Goal Scorer (-115): Kaprizov has been electric against Anaheim – tallying 20 points in 18 career games – registering two goals and an assist in their last matchup.

Don’t forget to lock in your wager at legal online sportsbooks before the puck drops at 10 p.m. ET.

News tags: Anaheim Ducks | Filip Gustavsson | hockey | Kirill Kaprizov | Mason McTavish | Minnesota Wild | NHL | Troy Terry