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Minnesota Wild vs. Boston Bruins Wagering Picks & NHL Preview

Minnesota vs Boston Hockey Betting?

Wild Hope to Tame Sizzling Bruins Monday Night

The hottest team in the NHL returns to the ice Monday night when the Boston Bruins, winners of eight straight games host the Minnesota Wild who have been climbing the NHL overall standings themselves.

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Minnesota (35-22-3-7) at Boston (45-17-2-3)
When: 7:30 PM ET, Monday, March 17, 2014
Where: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: TSN2, NBCSN
Wild vs. Bruins Betting Lines
Minnesota Wild +1½ -190 +169 Ov 5 -116
Boston Bruins -1½ +165 -186 Un 5 +105
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Minnesota is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games overall and hit the road to start a three game road trip after going 1-0-3 during their four game home stand. Minnesota is on a decent spot to end Boston`s recent hot streak – the Wild are 10-1-1 in 12 games against Boston and have won all six matchups between the teams in Boston.

The Minnesota Wild have picked up at least a point in nine of their last 10 games – they can thank unlikely hero goaltender Darcy Kuemper in large part. He has won three straight starts and is 6-1-2 in his last nine with a 1.62 GAA over that span. Kuemper is 1-0-1 in his last 2 starts with a 0.96 GAA – making everyone forget about Josh Harding.

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The Wild offense has been just OK during their recent streak. On the year the team averages 2.34 goals per game – exactly the same as they give up. The stars have been doing their part lately – Jason Pominville and Zach Parise each have four points in their last two games and Mikael Granlund has seven points (one goal, six assists) in his past eight games. The Parise-Granlund-Pominville line has 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) since forming Jan. 30.

Some help from the supporting cast would be nice – Ryan Suter has just three points in his last 11 games, newly acquired Matt Moulson is pointless in three games and Matt Cook hasn’t registered a point in his last five games overall.
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There isn`t a whole lot going wrong for the Boston Bruins right now – they have jumped to top spot in the Eastern Conference and have been getting it done offensively as well as defensively. Boston is 11-1-2 in their past 14 games, 16-2-3 in their past 21 and 9-2-0 in their past 11 at TD Garden. In their last eight games (all wins) the Bruins have outscore their opponents 32-12 – that’s four goals per game scored and 1.5 goals against during that span!

The Bruins have maintained their spot as one of the best defensive teams in the league – they allow just 2.13 goals per game and have surrendered just one goal per game over their last three. Tuukka Rask should be between the pipes Monday after backup Chad Johnson posted the 5-1 win over Carolina Saturday. Rask enters Monday night`s game having won five straight games while posting a 1.57 GAA over that span. Rask is 1-1-0 with a 1.45 GAA in two starts against the Wild – good numbers for the Bruins keeper.

Offensively the Bruins have been typically balanced and they have been led by Jarome Iginla. Iginla is riding a four-game point streak and has 10 goals and 14 assists over his last 18 while Milan Lucic has four points in two games, David Krejci has 23 points in his past 21 games and Zdeno Chara has three points in four games. There are a couple of struggling Bruins however – Reilly Smith and Loui Erkisson are each pointless in their last three games.

Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction

A few trends to consider:
• MIN are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Atlantic.
• Under is 5-2-3 in MIN last 10 overall.
• Under is 7-3-3 in MIN last 13 vs. Atlantic.
• BOS are 37-14 in their last 51 home games.
• BOS are 37-15 in their last 52 Mon. games.
• BOS are 37-16 in their last 53 overall.
• MIN are 10-2 in the last 12 meetings.
• Road team is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.

The Minnesota Wild are a troubling 12-15-5 on the road this season but they have won six straight in Boston. That said the Wild appear to be just a one-line team at the moment and the Bruins are one of the best shut-down teams in the NHL. Boston`s losing streak at home versus the Wild ends Monday while their impressive overall streak extends!

Pick: Boston Bruins -186

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.