The Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild will both be looking to stay red-hot when they square off in their matchup of Western Conference rivals on Thursday night. With the Knights looking to pick up some more momentum before the start of the playoffs and Minnesota desperate to punch their ticket, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NHL Odds for the Golden Knights vs Wild.

Golden Knights vs Wild 2020 NHL Game Preview & Betting Odds

• When: Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 8:00 PM ET
• Where: Xcel Energy Center
• TV: ATT-RM, FS-North, FS-North
• NHL Odds: Minnesota +100/Vegas -120 / Total: 5.5

Why Bet On Vegas Vegas at -120

The Golden Knights have won two straight and eight of their last 10 games overall including a hard-fought 3-2 overtime win against Edmonton on Sunday. Jonathan Marchessault led the way for Vegas with a goal and an assist while Shea Theodore and Nicolas Roy found the back of the net in the win. The Golden Knights have a slim, three-point lead over Edmonton in the Pacific Division.

“It’s huge. We’re getting down to crunch time here and everyone is jockeying for positions and playoffs and the standings,” Vegas defenseman Alec Martinez told reporters.

Shea Theodore has scored game-winners in two straight games, including in Sunday’s 5-3 victory over division-rival Calgary.

The knights have gone 17-13-3-1 on the road this season.

• Goals For: 3.2
• Shots For: 34.3
• Power Plays: 21.7
• Face-Offs: 50.1

• Goals Against: 0
• Shots Against: 29.4
• Penalty Kills: 76.6
• Shutouts: 4

Vegas Golden Knights NHL Betting Trends

• Golden Knights are 8-0 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Golden Knights are 11-2 in their last 13 overall.
• Golden Knights are 4-1 in their last 5 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.
• Golden Knights are 8-2 in their last 10 games following a win.
• Golden Knights are 8-2 in their last 10 games as a favorite.
• Golden Knights are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Western Conference.

Why Bet On Minnesota at +100

The Wild have won three of their last four and seven of their last 10 games overall including a thrilling 5-4 overtime win over Anaheim on Saturday. Minnesota sits in 10th place in the Western Conference playoff race, just one point behind eight place Vancouver as they get set to face a trio of tough opponents in Vegas, Philadelphia and Nashville.

“This way can prepare us for the playoffs just the same and make us really work for it,” Wild defenseman Matt Dumba said recently.  “These games we’ve been playing against some other teams have been very competitive and tight checking, so it’s kind of playoff like. We have to get used to that, because if we do get in, we’re going to be in for a battle.

Veteran Eric Staal returned to practice Tuesday and will play in this affair after missing the last three games because of a death in his family. Kevin Fiala scored twice Sunday and has seven of his 23 goals and 14 points in the last eight contests.

The Wild  have gone 19-11-2-3 at home this season.

Offense:

• Goals For: 3.1
• Shots For: 30.1
• Power Plays: 20.7
• Face-Offs: 48.4

Defense:

• Goals Against: 3.1
• Shots Against: 30.7
• Penalty Kills: 76.7
• Shutouts: 4

Minnesota Wild NHL Betting Trends

• Wild are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Pacific.
• Wild are 6-2 in their last 8 overall.
• Wild are 10-4 in their last 14 vs. Western Conference.
• Wild are 2-5 in their last 7 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
• Wild are 1-4 in their last 5 games as a home underdog.

Golden Knights vs Wild Expert Analysis and Prediction

Minnesota is playing well and they’re playing at home, but I like the more experienced Vegas Golden Knights to get the huge road win in this one, by outscoring the Wild in something of a high-scoring shootout. Minnesota is 6-2 in their last 8 games overall and 4-1 in their last 5 games against the Pacific division, but Vegas has gone a blistering 11-2 in their last 13 games and 8-0 in their last 8 games against a team with a winning record.

I know Vegas has gone an uninspiring 2-6 in the last 8 meetings between these two rivals, but Vegas is playing their best hockey of the season at just the right time and I believe they are going to get the big road win in this one. I’m feeling a bit of payback in this one as Vegas wins a flat-out thriller.

Pick: Vegas 3 Minnesota 2