Wild vs Blackhawks Odds, Picks, Expert Predictions for Monday, April 10

Wild vs. Blackhawks Odds

There is a Central Division tilt on Monday evening with the eighth-place Chicago Blackhawks hosting the third-place Minnesota Wild.

Minnesota has dominated this matchup over the past couple of seasons, winning each of the last eight meetings between these two clubs with five of those eight wins coming by at least a two-goal margin. Will this dominance continue in Chicago on Monday night?

Here's a look at the odds, as well as my Wild vs. Blackhawks betting pick.

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Minnesota Wild

While they would need some additional help, the Minnesota Wild are still in contention for the first seed in the Central Division. Entering this matchup following Saturday's 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues, the Wild should have no issue taking care of business once again in this contest against the tanking Blackhawks.

Simply put, the Wild are better in every facet of the game than the Hawks. Boasting one of the best two-way systems in the league under head coach Dean Evason, Minnesota ranks third in the league in Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.

While the Wild run a two-goalie system, there is no denying that Filip Gustavsson is the guy for this team in net and is without a doubt the most underrated netminder in hockey. Since the Wild are on the first half of a back-to-back and have a much bigger game against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, Marc-Andre Fleury will likely start between the pipes against the Blackhawks.

With that said, Fleury would also be the primary starting goaltender on 80% of teams in this league. Through 45 appearances in the crease this season, he is 24-15-4 with a .909 save percentage (SV%) and 2.84 Goals Against Average (GAA).

Based on his underlying metrics, regression is unlikely. At 5-on-5, Fleury ranks in the top half among starting goaltenders in Goals Saved Above Expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60).

Chicago Blackhawks

The year-long tank efforts from this organization are almost complete, now neck-and-neck with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the highest odds in the 2023 Draft Lottery and that much closer to landing generational prospect Connor Bedard. After trading any and all assets with value at the deadline, Chicago saw a brief uptick in performance with multiple AHL guys playing on the big stage and trying to earn future roster spots.

However, as Thanos said in the Avengers movie franchise, "reality is often disappointing." The Hawks have now lost 17 of their past 21 games, with 15 of those 17 losses coming by at least a two-goal differential.

A disaster both offensively and defensively at 5-on-5, Chicago ranks last in the league in Expected Goals For per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and third-to-last in xGA/60. Goaltender Petr Mrazek backs up this inefficient team and is projected to start between the pipes on Monday.

It has been a difficult campaign for the veteran netminder, who is 9-22-3 with a .892 SV% and 3.71 GAA through 38 appearances in the crease. Among starting goaltenders, Mrazek ranks 26th in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5.

Wild vs. Blackhawks Pick

Mrazek's poor play is likely to continue against the Wild. While he has started only once against the Wild since joining the Hawks, Mrazek allowed three goals on just 21 shots for a mere .857 SV%  in that game en route to Chicago's 4-1 loss.

Across the ice, Fleury gets the opportunity to take down one of his former teams. Over his two starts against the Hawks in his post-Chicago era, he is 2-0 with a commanding .929 SV% and 1.92 GAA.

With the better offense, defense and goaltender, back the superior team to care of business on the road.

Pick: Wild -1.5 (-110 | Play to -130)

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