Wild vs. Blues: Potential first-round playoff opponents meet in matinee
By Tim Johnson
98. ABC. Saturday, April 16. 99. Blues -1.5. 2 p.m. CST. 46-21-6. 44-20-10
The Minnesota Wild have one more shot at St. Louis in the regular season on Saturday afternoon. But it’s looking more and more likely that it won’t be the final meeting between the teams this season overall.
Minnesota heads into the Enterprise Center for the second time in eight days with the hopes of having a better result against the Blues than the two previous meetings this year.
The Wild fell to the Blues 6-4 in the Winter Classic, and also lost a two-goal lead in the third period ln an overtime setback to St. Louis last week.
Both teams enter Saturday with 98 points but the Wild remain in second place in the Central Division having played one fewer game than the Blues.
The division rivals remain on course to meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Both also are streaking toward the postseason. Minnesota could clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win or if a few scenarios go in its favor.
From #NHLStats, #mnwild will clinch playoff spot today if they defeat St. Louis in any fashion AND either of the following occurs:
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 16, 2022
(1) CBJ defeats LA in any fashion
(2) Edmonton defeats Vegas in regulation
OR
if they get one point vs. St. Louis AND CBJ defeats LA in regulation
Minnesota has won three straight and is 14-2-3 over its past 19 games, and is coming off an overtime win against Dallas on Thursday. St. Louis has won seven straight and has earned a point in its past nine games overall. The Blues could also earn a postseason berth with a win over the Wild, or if a few other matchups break their way on Saturday.
FLEURY👉FREDDY👉WILD WIN #mnwild pic.twitter.com/lzpTCBCTBi
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 15, 2022
The Wild are 15-14-7 over the last 36 meetings between the teams but the Blues have dominated the results recently. St. Louis has won 11 of the past 13 games, dating back to October 2019.
Minnesota is 7-11-6 in its last 24 trips to St. Louis but eight of those games have gone into overtime, including last week’s matchup.
Saturday is the first of back-to-back weekend schedule for Minnesota. The Wild host the San Jose Sharks on Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center.
Betting odds
WynnBET has St. Louis favored by 1.5 goals in the last three meetings between the two teams in the regular season.. The moneyline is a push with both teams listed at -110. The over/under for the matchup is listed at six goals.
Upcoming Wild schedule
Sunday, April 17: San Jose, 5 p.m. CST
Tuesday, April 19: @Montreal, 6 p.m. CST
Thursday, April 21: Vancouver, 7 p.m. CST