NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Wild vs Blackhawks Betting Preview
Minnesota heads into Chicago with momentum. The Wild won five straight and are 9-1-1 in November, powered by elite defensive structure and consistent goaltending. They outscored opponents 8-0 over their last two games and lead the NHL with five shutouts. Jesper Wallstedt posted three. Filip Gustavsson added two. Their crease forms one of the league’s strongest tandems.
Their 3-0 win over Winnipeg reflected that identity. Their lanes stayed tight. Their back pressure stayed sharp. Their shot suppression matched their structure. John Hynes praised the group for its commitment in all three zones.
Chicago enters the matchup on a three-game slide. Their offense struggled during that stretch, losing the goal differential 13-5. Their 1-0 loss to Colorado offered signs of optimism. Their structure tightened. Their puck possession improved. Their tracking on retrievals held firm. Jeff Blashill believes that performance can turn into wins if repeated.
Connor Bedard continues driving Chicago’s attack. He owns 31 points in 22 games. Tyler Bertuzzi adds 19 points. Their supporting cast remains capable of generating pace and looks from the middle of the ice.
Check more matchups on the NHL previews board.
Dominate the Sportsbook with Proven Picks
All Sports, One Winning Strategy
Line Movement and Odds
Wild -139, Blackhawks +117
Total: 6.0 (over +102, under -123)
Early movement reflected Minnesota’s streak, Chicago’s scoring issues and Minnesota’s defensive form.
Track updates on the NHL odds page.
Matchup Breakdown
Chicago overview
Chicago’s 1-0 loss to Colorado showed their ability to control a game without finishing. Their possession stretches were strong. Their breakouts were clean. Their defensive shifts held structure. Spencer Knight made 25 saves. Their details improved.
Their offense depends heavily on Bedard. He drives entries and creates most of their high-danger looks. Ryan Donato and Ryan Greene remain active on the forecheck. Chicago’s power play ranks seventh with 15 goals. Their ability to create layers on the half wall gives them a path if they generate early opportunities.
Their challenge is solving Minnesota’s pressure and lane coverage. Chicago needs clean exits and early puck movement to manage Minnesota’s forecheck.
Minnesota overview
Minnesota’s surge starts in their defensive zone. Their lanes collapse cleanly. Their stick detail stays sharp. Their support layers minimize slot chances. Their goaltending amplifies everything.
Their 3-0 win over Winnipeg showcased their system. Danila Yurov, Brock Faber and Kirill Kaprizov scored. Their block rate climbed. Their transition pace improved. Kaprizov leads the team with 27 points. Matt Boldy sits at 25. Their balance in scoring allows them to extend pressure over long shifts.
Wallstedt is 6-0-2 with a 1.94 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. Gustavsson remains consistent. Minnesota’s ability to control tempo in all three zones shapes this matchup.
Injuries
Wild
- Ryan Hartman — Out, lower body
- Vinnie Hinostroza — Out, undisclosed
- Marco Rossi — Out, lower body
- Vladimir Tarasenko — Out, lower body
Team overview available on the Minnesota Wild page.
Blackhawks
- Laurent Brossoit — Out, hip
- Andre Burakovsky — Questionable, undisclosed
- Nick Foligno — Out, hand
- Shea Weber — Out, lower body
Full roster outlook on the Chicago Blackhawks page.
Betting Trends
- Wild 5-0 SU in last five
- Wild 3-0 ATS in last three
- Wild under in last three
- Blackhawks 12-5 ATS this season
- Blackhawks 12-4 ATS as underdogs
- Blackhawks under in 11 of 17 games
Best Bets and Prediction
Minnesota’s defensive foundation, goaltending form and zone detail place them in control. Chicago’s effort improved, but their scoring rhythm remains inconsistent. The Wild’s pace and support in all three layers hold the edge.
Projected score: Wild 4, Blackhawks 3
Best Bet: Wild -139
Total Lean: Over 6.0
Unlock 5,000+ Winning Picks Every Season
Bet Smarter, Across Every League
More Resources
Explore more plays on the NHL picks page.
Sharpen insights with the NHL betting guide.
Check premium selections on the buy picks page.
Track top performers on the SAS leaderboard.
