Kings Look To Extend Winning Streak Against Wild Tonight

The Minnesota Wild will take on the Los Angeles Kings tonight at the Xcel Energy Center, with puck drop set for 8:00 PM ET. This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions: the Kings enter the game with five consecutive wins, whereas the Wild are struggling, having lost four of their last five games.

Vegas sports books have rendered the Kings as solid favorites at -155 on the moneyline, with the Wild being listed at +130. This implies the Kings have about a 60.8% chance of winning the game. The teams have different strengths reflected not just by their current winning streaks, but by their overall performance this season. The Kings have compiled a record of 23-16 when favored, and have won 22 out of 36 games overall as favorites this season.

On the other hand, the Minnesota Wild have proven to be more resilient as underdogs, winning 14 of their 32 matchups when not favored. With playoff spots and seedings on the line, both teams are desperate for points as the regular season winds down.

When it coms to scoring, the Kings are averaging 2.83 goals per game, ranking 21st overall, with their defense allowing 2.55 goals, which ranks them second. This has been effective for the Kings, but with their recent road performance being lackluster—only winning 13 of their 35 games away from home—their opponents see this as an opportunity to capitalize.

The Wild, on the other hand, have been struggling offensively, averaging only 2.7 goals per game—good for 26th place. Their defense is slightly stronger, with the 11th best numbers for goals allowed per game at 2.87. Their issues have been magnified by injuries to key players such as Kirill Kaprizov, which has compounded their offensive woes.

Among the players to watch tonight is Marco Rossi for the Wild, who has stepped up due to the consistent injuries plaguing the team. Rossi is expected to play a key role and has produced 53 points through 67 games this season, hitting the scoresheet often with at least one point at approximately 58% of the time. His ability to capitalize against the Kings is something the Wild will be counting on.

Also noteworthy is the matchup between players such as Rossi and Matt Boldy. Boldy is seen as the go-to shooter with Kaprizov sidelined, and his synergy with Rossi may help generate sparks on the ice. Boldy has been predicted to score at least one goal with a 32.9% probability, showcasing Minnesota’s potential to outscore the Kings.

Betting odds reflect the tight competition tonight, with the total set at 5.5 goals. Both teams have seen their games go over this total significantly this season, with the Kings exceeding it 28 times out of 65 games, and the Wild hitting the mark 32 out of 67 times. Data providers suggest betting on the over at 5.5 may yield fruitful returns.

While the Kings emerged victorious five times recently, it is important not to overlook their inadequate road performance compared to their winning home record. Many experts and analysts believe the Kings could win, but with the Wild’s recent struggles but inside potential to flip the script, it may come down to which team can capitalize when it matters.

The Kings and Wild have both experienced their share of ups and downs this season, with several factors at play influencing the outcome of tonight's game. It will be interesting to see how they respond as they look for important points as the playoffs approach, keeping fans on the edge of their seats at the Xcel Energy Center.