Wild vs. Canadiens Odds, Betting Preview & Predictions: Minnesota Should Blowout Montreal (April 19)

Wild vs. Canadiens Odds

The Central Division's third-place Minnesota Wild travel to Montreal to take on the Atlantic Division's eighth-place Canadiens.

This is the second meeting between these two teams this season, as the Wild won the first matchup, 8-2, back at the end of January.

Will the Wild cruise to another easy victory once again, or can the Canadiens put up a better effort this time around?

Sign up for all of Ontario's best sportsbooks.

Start Playing Now

Wild in Midst of Great Run

The Minnesota Wild enter this contest in tremendous form, as they have won 13 of their last 17 games. Eight of those 13 wins have come by at least a two-goal margin, as the Wild have been dominating their competition.

This game should not be any different, as the Wild are better than the Canadiens in every aspect of the game. Minnesota ranks higher than Montreal this season in both five-on-five expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF) and five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA).

Cam Talbot is the projected starting goaltender for Minnesota. He's been in tremendous form recently, as he's allowed two or fewer goals in seven of his last 10 appearances between the pipes. Over those 10 outings, Talbot boasts an excellent 0.923 save percentage.

Talbot should get plenty of help from Minnesota's offense, as the unit has been scoring goals at a very high clip recently. Over the Wild's last eight contests, they're averaging 4.25 goals scored per game.

Canadiens Looking to Snap Losing Streak

The Montreal Canadiens enter this matchup following Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. Saturday's defeat was yet another poor performance from this team, as it has now lost five straight games and nine of its last 11.

Out of those nine losses, seven have been by at least a two-goal margin.

Sam Montembeault is the projected starting goaltender for the Canadiens in this matchup and he's been atrocious recently.

Montembeault has lost six straight starts and has allowed three or more goals in four of those six appearances. Over this span, Montembeault possesses a mere 0.859 save percentage.

Four of those six losses came by at least a two-goal margin, a trend that will likely continue against a much stronger Minnesota team with much more to play for. If Carey Price does get the start over Montembeault, I still would play the Wild puck line, as the team in front of him is awful.

This season, Montreal ranks dead-last in the league in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA) and 24th in five-on-five expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF).

Wild vs. Canadiens Pick

While this is a square pick, there is just no reason to not back the Wild in a blowout. Minnesota is superior in every single aspect of the game and has been playing its best hockey recently.

The Wild have dominated this matchup over the last few seasons, as they have won nine of the last 10 meetings with the Canadiens. Of those nine wins, seven have been by at least a two-goal margin.

Pick: Minnesota Wild -1.5 (-115) | Play up to (-130)