9:07 pm
April 3

Wild @ Golden Knights

Who will WIN this matchup?

Minnesota Wild (22-11-2)

@ Vegas Golden Knights (24-9-2)

 

Starting Goalies:

Cam Talbot (MIN): Confirmed

Robin Lehner (VGK): Unconfirmed

 

Current odds:

Minnesota Wild: (+135)

Vegas Golden Knights: (-155)

 

• Home losses have become a rarity since Pete DeBoer took over as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 15, 2020. However, Thursday’s 3-2 shootout defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Wild — which the Golden Knights will look to avenge when they meet again on Saturday — brought a strange sensation.

• It marked the first time in more than a calendar year the Golden Knights have lost consecutive home games, whether in regulation time or beyond 60 minutes. Since DeBoer stepped behind the Vegas bench, his team has racked up an incredible 22-4-3 record — including a 14-3-2 mark this season — at T-Mobile Arena.

• Understandably, the Golden Knights aren’t stressing out after their loss to Minnesota. Despite playing short-handed — with only 10 forwards — due to a combination of injuries, a suspension and salary-cap troubles, Vegas was just as equal to the task as the Wild. Had it not been for a handful of highlight-reel saves by Minnesota goaltender Cam Talbot, the Golden Knights would have claimed victory in regulation time. Therefore, the Golden Knights will use the disappointment as motivation in the rematch.

• The Wild have won three of five meetings this season, and not only did Thursday’s win snap a five-game road losing streak, it pulled Minnesota within four points of second-place Vegas in the West Division, adding to the playoff-like atmosphere.

• Winning on the road is a big boost for a team which boasts a great home record (13-3-0) but has been middling away from the Land of 10,000 Lakes (9-8-2). That said, the Wild must be better in Saturday’s clash if they want to improve on their recent success, a 4-1-1 mark in their last six outings.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Vegas Golden Knights
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