The Anaheim Ducks (35-37-8) visit the Minnesota Wild (44-30-7) Tuesday at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Ducks vs. Wild odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Wild lead 2-0
The Ducks led 2-0 against the shorthanded Colorado Avalanche after 2 periods on Sunday behind RW Sam Colangelo and C Mason McTavish, but Anaheim allowed 4 goals in the third period to suffer the loss as the total (6) pushed at most shops. The Ducks are just 2-4-0 in the past 6 games, while the Over is 3-1-1 in the past 5 games.
The Wild secured a 3-2 win in overtime Saturday as a small favorite (-120) as the Under (5.5) cashed. RW Mats Zuccarello notched the winner in overtime, as Minnesota erased a 2-0 lead after 2 periods.
Minnesota has dominated this season series, winning 5-2 in Anaheim Nov. 8 as a heavy favorite (-205) as the Over (5.5) cashed, and it won 5-1 in SoCal on Dec. 6 as a heavy favorite (-195) as the Over (5.5) connected again. The Wild have won 9 of the past 10 meetings in this series.
The Wild have not yet clinched a Wild Card berth, although they currently sit in the first position heading into this finale. Minnesota has 95 points, and it needs 1 point to get into the postseason.
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Ducks at Wild odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Ducks +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Wild -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Ducks +1.5 (-118) | Wild -1.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Ducks at Wild goalies
Lukas Dostal (23-23-6, 3.11 GAA, .902 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Filip Gustavsson (31-19-6, 2.57 GAA, .914 SV%, 5 SO)
Dostal couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes against the Avalanche, coughing up 3 goals in the third period before Colorado added an empty-net goal. Dostal is 2-3-0 with a 3.89 GAA and .872 SV% in 5 starts and 1 relief appearance in April.
He faced the Wild once this season, allowing 5 goals on 31 shots in a 5-2 home loss on Nov. 8.
Gustavsson allowed 2 goals on 14 shots in a 3-2 OTW in Vancouver Saturday, improving to 2-2-1 with a 3.33 GAA and .881 SV% in 5 April starts.
He allowed a single goal on 27 shots in a 5-1 road win in Anaheim back on Dec. 6 in Southern California, and he won Nov. 8 in Anaheim with 33 saves on 35 shots in the 5-2 victory.
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Ducks at Wild picks and predictions
Prediction
Wild 5, Ducks 2
Moneyline
The Wild (-275) will cost you almosyt 3 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward.
The Ducks (+220) have been out of the playoff race for a while, and they’re just 14-19-6 on the road this season.
AVOID, though, as it is just too little of a return.
Puck line/Against the spread
The WILD -1.5 (-102) is on a mission to finally clinch in the regular-season finale. With the Ducks playing for nothing, and the Wild on the inside track for a Wild Card spot, back the home team to get the job done. However, don’t be surprised if you’re sweating it out, needing a late empty-net goal to get over the hump.
Over/Under
OVER 6 (-105) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
The Over has cashed in the 2 previous meetings in Anaheim, averaging 5.0 goals per game (GPG), while allowing just 1.5 GPG.
The Over is 3-1-1 in the past 5 games for the Ducks, while the total has gone high at a 6-3-1 clip in the previous 10 outings for the Wild.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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