The Minnesota Wild head back to the Land of 10,000 Lakes Sunday to host the San Jose Sharks. The Wild are coming off an impressive three-game road trip that saw the team going a perfect 3-0-0 while outscoring opponents 13-6. However, Eric Staal and company are actually just 2-2-1 in their past five games at Xcel Energy Center.
This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season after the Wild squeaked out a 4-3 overtime victory over the Sharks back on December 11. That game was highlighted by Staal, who notched two goals and an assist for the Wild. The eldest Staal brother comes into Sunday’s game playing his best hockey of the season, racking up nine goals and six assists in his past 11 games.
The Sharks have dropped their past two games – both on the road – in convincing fashion. San Jose lost to Nashville 7-1 on Thursday and then 3-1 to Chicago on Friday. Defense and goaltending - though overall solid on the season – has dealt with periodic spurts of inefficiency that has hurt a team that doesn’t score a ton of goals.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're going with the Minnesota Wild in this one, they were listed as moneyline favorites of -150 on most NHL hockey betting menus (such as Sportsbook) early today for Sunday's contest. The over-under total was at 5.5 earlier at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark score prediction models pick a 3.4-2.3 result in favor of the Wild today. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
San Jose Sharks vs Minnesota Wild Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Wild sit at 34-20-7 on the season; in comparison, the San Jose Sharks are currently 33-21-8. Looking to wager on the totals? Minnesota is 31-27-3 OU, and San Jose is 23-38-1 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Minnesota vs San Jose injuries news.
This game puts the Minnesota Wild, most recently No. 5 in the Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings, up against the San Jose Sharks, who rate a No. 9 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Minnesota's No. 11-ranked offense, averaging 3.03 goals per game, against a Sharks defense that ranks No. 11 at 2.79 goals allowed. The Wild power play is averaging 21.11% while the Sharks defense kills off 84.07% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Sharks were a 3-1 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Blackhawks. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Chicago at -126 on the moneyline, while the total score (4) was good news for UNDER bettors.
In their last action, Minnesota was a 4-1 Sportsbook on the road against the Rangers. Bettors on Minnesota at -160 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (5) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.
Next Betting Matchups
San Jose home to Edmonton, Tuesday, February 27th
Minnesota home to St. Louis, Tuesday, February 27th