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(NHL) Minnesota vs. Chicago,
Money Line: -123.00 Chicago (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -123.00 Chicago (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Minnesota Wild are in search of their first win to the new season tonight in Chicago, after opening 0-1-1. With Zach Parise (undisclosed) and Mikael Granlund (groin) sidelined, head coach Bruce Boudreau admitted he'll likely shuffle the deck for this visit to the Central Division rival Blackhawks. Chicago has opened 3-0-1, while erupting for 21 goals in the team's four contests (10-1 home win over the Penguins last Thursday accounted for almost half of those goals).
Minnesota: The Wild have traditionally been one of the stingiest teams in the league but Minnesota has allowed eight goals through two games (nine, if one counts the 5-4 shootout loss). Chris Stewart has scored in both contests this season and added an assist to catch the eye of Boudreau. "On the goals, he's done a great job. He's got a very good offensive IQ, he always has. That's never been Chris Stewart's problem," Boudreau said. "We're hoping his start continues, it's a good start for him, it certainly is something that's added that you're not really counting on but he is scoring the goals." Forward Marcus Foligno has been elevated from the third to the top line in lieu of injuries to Parise and Granlund. Devan Dubnyk is coming off a strong season and will be in net, as Minnesota hasn't played since Saturday. He is 99-55-13 with a 2.18 goals-against average and .924 save percentage with Minnesota. In his 20 career games against the Blackhawks, he is 10-7-0 with a 3.06 GAA and a .909 save percentage.
Chicago: The Blackhawks are coming off a 3-1 road win at Montreal on Tuesday, with Jonathan Toews setting up Brandon Saad's team-leading fifth tally. Saad's seven points are just one better than both Patrick Kane and Richard Panik. Goalie Corey Crawford turned aside 41 of 42 shots against the Canadiens on Tuesday, improving to 3-0-0 while keeping his goals-against average at 1.00 (his save percentage is a robust .971!) Crawford won three of four meetings with Minnesota last season and boasts a 10-8-2 career mark versus the Wild (2.48 GAA and a .920 save percentage) and is expected to be in goal for this one.
The pick: At the moment, the Blackhawks are playing way better than the Wild plus Crawford (1.00 GAA & .971 SP) is playing way better than Dubynk (4.12 GAA & .871 SP). What's not to like about the Blackhawks? Make Chicago a 10* play.
Minnesota: The Wild have traditionally been one of the stingiest teams in the league but Minnesota has allowed eight goals through two games (nine, if one counts the 5-4 shootout loss). Chris Stewart has scored in both contests this season and added an assist to catch the eye of Boudreau. "On the goals, he's done a great job. He's got a very good offensive IQ, he always has. That's never been Chris Stewart's problem," Boudreau said. "We're hoping his start continues, it's a good start for him, it certainly is something that's added that you're not really counting on but he is scoring the goals." Forward Marcus Foligno has been elevated from the third to the top line in lieu of injuries to Parise and Granlund. Devan Dubnyk is coming off a strong season and will be in net, as Minnesota hasn't played since Saturday. He is 99-55-13 with a 2.18 goals-against average and .924 save percentage with Minnesota. In his 20 career games against the Blackhawks, he is 10-7-0 with a 3.06 GAA and a .909 save percentage.
Chicago: The Blackhawks are coming off a 3-1 road win at Montreal on Tuesday, with Jonathan Toews setting up Brandon Saad's team-leading fifth tally. Saad's seven points are just one better than both Patrick Kane and Richard Panik. Goalie Corey Crawford turned aside 41 of 42 shots against the Canadiens on Tuesday, improving to 3-0-0 while keeping his goals-against average at 1.00 (his save percentage is a robust .971!) Crawford won three of four meetings with Minnesota last season and boasts a 10-8-2 career mark versus the Wild (2.48 GAA and a .920 save percentage) and is expected to be in goal for this one.
The pick: At the moment, the Blackhawks are playing way better than the Wild plus Crawford (1.00 GAA & .971 SP) is playing way better than Dubynk (4.12 GAA & .871 SP). What's not to like about the Blackhawks? Make Chicago a 10* play.
