On January 12, 2025, the Minnesota Wild will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. This matchup is significant as both teams are competing for playoff positioning in their respective divisions.
Current Team Performance
As of this date, the Minnesota Wild hold a record of 26 wins, 12 losses, and 4 overtime losses, placing them second in the Central Division. The Vegas Golden Knights lead the Pacific Division with a record of 28 wins, 10 losses, and 3 overtime losses.
Offensive Metrics
- Minnesota Wild:
- Goals per game: 3.0 (15th in NHL)
- Shots on goal per game: 28.1 (17th in NHL)
- Vegas Golden Knights:
- Goals per game: 3.4 (4th in NHL)
- Shots on goal per game: 30.7 (5th in NHL)
Defensive Metrics
- Minnesota Wild:
- Goals against per game: 2.7 (7th in NHL)
- Shots allowed per game: 29.3 (26th in NHL)
- Vegas Golden Knights:
- Goals against per game: 2.67 (6th in NHL)
- Shots allowed per game: 27.4 (11th in NHL)
Special Teams
- Power Play Efficiency:
- Minnesota Wild: 18.5% (22nd)
- Vegas Golden Knights: 25% (7th)
- Penalty Kill Efficiency:
- Minnesota Wild: 72.1% (29th)
- Vegas Golden Knights: 77.3% (23rd)
Goaltending Statistics
- Filip Gustavsson for Minnesota has a save percentage of 91.8%, while Adin Hill for Vegas has a save percentage of 90.3%.
Injury Report
The Minnesota Wild are facing significant injury challenges with key players such as Jonas Brodin, Brock Faber, and Dylan Ferguson out of the lineup. Additionally, they are missing star left wing Kirill Kaprizov due to a lower-body injury, which has impacted their offensive depth.On the other hand, the Vegas Golden Knights report no injuries, giving them a full roster to work with as they look to maintain their position atop the Pacific Division.
Home/Away Performance
- Minnesota Wild Away Record:
- Wins: 16
- Losses: 3
- Overtime Losses: 3
- Goal Differential: +21
- Vegas Golden Knights Home Record:
- Wins: 17
- Losses: 6
- Overtime Losses: 0
- Goal Differential: +30
Coaching Strategies and Head-to-Head History
Both teams have shown effective coaching strategies this season. Minnesota’s head coach John Hynes has adapted well despite injuries, while Bruce Cassidy has maintained a strong home record for the Golden Knights.In their last matchup on December 15, 2024, the Golden Knights edged out the Wild with a score of 3-2, highlighting a competitive rivalry.
Advanced Metrics and Puck Possession
Analyzing advanced metrics such as Corsi and Fenwick can provide insights into puck possession:
- Corsi For %:
- Minnesota Wild: Approximately 48%
- Vegas Golden Knights: Approximately 52%
This suggests that Vegas has had better puck possession metrics this season.Face-off win percentages also play a crucial role:
- Minnesota Wild Face-off Win %: Approximately 48.1%
- Vegas Golden Knights Face-off Win %: Approximately 51.9%
These statistics indicate that Vegas is likely to have more puck control during the game.
Rest and Schedule Considerations
Both teams are coming off back-to-back games; Minnesota played against San Jose just last night while Vegas faced New York Rangers the previous evening. This could impact player fatigue levels, especially for Minnesota given their injury situation.
Strength of Schedule and Betting Trends
Both teams have faced varying levels of competition recently; however, Vegas’s ability to maintain their winning record against tougher opponents gives them an edge.
Betting Odds
- Moneyline:
- Minnesota Wild: +172
- Vegas Golden Knights: -208
- Puck Line: Set at 1.5
- Total Goals Over/Under: Set at 6
Prediction and Betting Recommendation
Based on this comprehensive analysis:
Predicted Final Score
- Minnesota Wild: 2
- Vegas Golden Knights: 4
Confidence Level
- Medium Confidence due to injuries affecting Minnesota’s performance.
Recommended Bet Type
- Moneyline on Vegas Golden Knights (-208) due to their stronger overall performance metrics and home advantage.
Player Props
Consider betting on Jack Eichel for an over on points or assists given his current form and involvement in scoring plays.
Key Matchups
Watch for matchups between Minnesota’s defensemen against the high-scoring forwards of Vegas like Mark Stone and Jack Eichel, as these could significantly influence the game’s outcome.
In conclusion, while both teams are competitive, the injuries faced by Minnesota combined with Vegas’s strong home performance make the Golden Knights favorites in this matchup at T-Mobile Arena.
