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We have a massive 12-game slate on the docket Thursday night. I see the most value in getting involved in a couple of games with playoff implications for both parties. Let's take a closer look.
Wild (+100) @ Predators (-120)
The Predators are riding a six-game winning streak, but it's the Wild who have been more impressive of late.
Minnesota has accumulated one more point over the past 10 games and posted a stronger underlying profile.
The Wild have posted the league's sixth-highest expected goals share at five-on-five during that span. They've also been lethal on the power play.
Only the Maple Leafs (13) have scored more power-play markers than the Wild (12) over the last 10 games. Conversely, just seven teams have conceded more power-play goals than the Predators in the same span. That figures to be a big advantage for the Wild.
Minnesota's top line of Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Kirill Kaprizov has been amazing at even strength while ripping teams apart on the man advantage.
It'll be a tough task for Juuse Saros to slam the door. He has performed better lately, but his recent success came against the Senators, Sharks, Blues, and Kings. Not exactly top-tier offenses.
I'm skeptical he can stay hot against the league's second-highest-scoring offense over the last 10.
Bet: Wild (+100)
Penguins (-105) @ Kraken (-115)
The Kraken are quietly playing strong hockey on home ice. They own a 6-2-2 record over the last 10 in Seattle and possess strong defensive metrics.
Seattle has conceded just 2.21 expected goals per 60 minutes of five-on-five in that span. The Kraken have fared even better in preventing goals, allowing 1.95 per 60 minutes at five-on-five. Terrific numbers.
The Penguins have largely struggled to score goals against strong defensive sides. Over the past 10 games, they scored two goals against the Wild, one against the Jets, two against the Panthers, and one against the Kings.
Aside from a shootout against the Flyers where Cal Petersen posted a .781 save percentage, the Penguins' best regulation performance against a strong team was a three-goal effort versus the Canucks.
Jake Guentzel being sidelined was problematic enough. With Bryan Rust also out with an injury, the Penguins have lost a ton of scoring on the wings. These absences will be tough to overcome as they were already top-heavy to begin with.
Seattle plays extremely low-event hockey at home. Kraken home games feature the lowest average shot volume (56.0) out of any team in the league.
I expect the Kraken will be able to tighten the screws on the Penguins, who lack the dynamic ability needed to break through structured defenses.
If Joey Daccord can continue to hold up his end of the bargain in goal, this is a spot where the Kraken should take care of business.
Bet: Kraken (-115)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.
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