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The Minnesota Wild head to Salt Lake City this Friday for a critical Central Division showdown against the Utah Mammoth. This contest features two teams headed in slightly different directions recently, with puck drop scheduled for 9:00 PM at the Delta Center. Minnesota currently sits in second place in the division with a 35-14-10 record, while Utah is trying to keep pace from the fourth spot with a 30-24-4 mark. Fans can follow this matchup on ESPN+ as the Western Conference playoff race continues to tighten up.
Minnesota arrives on a high note after a dominant 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. They have managed to pull together a five game winning streak, looking like one of the most balanced teams in the league during this stretch. Utah is coming off a bit of a frustrating 4-2 loss to those same Avalanche, and they will be eager to bounce back in front of their home crowd. Even though Minnesota has the better overall record, the oddsmakers have installed the Mammoth as a home favorite in what looks like a classic trap game scenario for the traveling Wild.
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Minnesota Wild vs Utah Mammoth Odds
The current lines reflect a tight matchup where home ice advantage is carrying significant weight. Bettors should keep a close eye on the latest NHL odds as we get closer to the start time, specifically regarding any movement in the total.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
| Minnesota Wild | +113 | +1.5 (-215) | O 6.0 (+100) |
| Utah Mammoth | -135 | -1.5 (+175) | U 6.0 (-125) |
Minnesota Wild Betting Form
Minnesota is arguably the hottest team in hockey right now. Beyond their five game winning streak, they have been a gold mine for bettors by covering the puck line in each of those five contests. The offensive output has been impressive, especially from Matt Boldy, who is coming off a four point performance against Colorado. When you combine that with Kirill Kaprizov’s 70 points on the season, it is clear why this group is so difficult to contain. Perhaps the most dangerous part of their game is the power play, which currently ranks second in the league.
The goaltending has also been a major factor in this recent surge. Filip Gustavsson was spectacular in his last outing, stopping 44 of 45 shots to frustrate the Avalanche. I think his ability to weather early storms allows the Minnesota offense to eventually find its rhythm. For those digging into the Minnesota Wild stats and results, the most glaring trend is their over/under performance. They have hit the over in nine of their last 10 games, showing they are perfectly comfortable winning high scoring shootouts. One thing to watch is the Minnesota Wild injury report as they continue to navigate life without Jonas Brodin on the blue line.
Utah Mammoth Betting Form
Utah has been a bit more inconsistent lately, going 6-4 in their last 10 games. While they fell short against Colorado in their last game, they have shown they can be quite formidable at the Delta Center. Clayton Keller remains the primary engine of their offense with 55 points, but the emergence of Dylan Guenther has given them a much needed second layer of scoring. Guenther found the back of the net twice in their last game, and I think Utah will need that kind of production again if they want to keep up with Minnesota’s deep roster.
Defensively, the Mammoth have some work to do after allowing four goals in their last appearance. They currently rank 14th in goals scored, which is respectable, but they often find themselves in trouble when they can’t dictate the pace of play. It will be important to monitor the Utah Mammoth injury report for the status of Michael Carcone, as his illness could leave a gap in their bottom six forward rotation. Bettors looking at the long term outlook for this franchise can find more on the Stanley Cup betting odds and how Utah’s home performance impacts their futures market.
Minnesota Wild vs Utah Mammoth Matchup Breakdown
This game really comes down to whether Utah’s opportunistic scoring can crack a Minnesota defense that is playing with extreme confidence. Minnesota’s power play is the X-factor here. If Utah takes undisciplined penalties, the Wild have the personnel to end this game early. However, Utah has played well against conference opponents this year, posting a 17-15 record that suggests they don’t back down from these heavyweights.
The goaltending matchup looks like a slight edge for Minnesota on paper, but the oddsmakers aren’t buying it. There is a sense that Minnesota might be due for a bit of a regression after such a hot streak. I expect Utah to try and physical the Wild early on to disrupt their 5-on-5 flow. If you are new to handicapping these types of divisional battles, checking out an NHL betting guide can help you understand why home favorites are often priced this way despite a gap in the standings.
- Minnesota is 5-0 on the puck line in their last five games.
- The over has hit in 90% of Minnesota’s last 10 games.
- Utah has won two of its last three games straight up.
- The Wild rank 2nd in the NHL in power play goals.
Minnesota Wild vs Utah Mammoth Predictions and Best Bets
I am going to side with the home favorite in this spot. While it is tempting to jump on the Wild at plus money given their winning streak, the -135 price on Utah suggests the house expects a bounce back from the Mammoth. Minnesota’s run has been incredible, but sustaining that level of puck line success on the road is a tall task. I think Utah finds a way to tighten up defensively and leans on Clayton Keller to produce in high pressure moments.
The total of 6.0 is where things get interesting. Minnesota has been an over machine lately, and Utah has enough offensive talent to contribute to a high score. My projection has this game landing right around 4-3 in favor of Utah. Because both teams have been active in the offensive zone and Minnesota’s power play is so efficient, I like the over 6.0 at even money. It feels like a safer play than trying to guess when the Wild’s winning streak finally snaps, though I do think Utah wins it.
Best Bet: Utah Mammoth moneyline (-135).
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