Wild vs. Canucks: Looking to strike a blow to Vancouver’s hopes
104. Bally Sports North . Wild -1.5. 48-21-7. 98. 7 p.m. CST. 38-28-11. Thursday, April 21
The Minnesota Wild have already set individual and team records this year and are on pace to surpass a few other franchise marks with six games left in the regular season.
Minnesota enters Thursday night’s matchup against the Vancouver Canucks with 103 points, and one more would tie the mark for the second-most in franchise history. The Wild are also four points away from setting a mark for most in a season.
A victory against the Canucks would also be a record-tying 49th of the season, and the team’s winning percentage (.678) is slightly ahead of a franchise mark of .670 that was set last season.
The Wild, who are 16-2-4 over their last 22 games, are ied with St. Louis for second place in the Central Division and also for home ice in an opening-round Stanley Cup playoff series that is pretty much a lock to happen at this point.
Vancouver, led by former Wild coach Bruce Boudreau, enters Thursday with a 6% chance of making the postseason. The desperate Canucks have 87 points and trail Los Angeles by five points for the third place in the Pacific Division and Dallas by four points for the second and final Western Conference wild card spot.
Minnesota has won both previous matchups against the Canucks this year — both by the scores of 3-2 – and the second game came in overtime.
The Wild is has got a point in 14 of the last 22 matchups against Vancouver in St. Paul and won 13 of those games.
Minnesota, which also hosts Seatlle on Friday, is 10-0-1 in its last 11 home games overall. Goalie Cam Talbot, who shut out the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, will be in net again for the Wild is on verge of reaching a milestone as well. The Wild have rotated Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury for the past 15 games.
For the first time in 16 games, it looks like no goalie rotation. Cam Talbot, coming off his 3rd shutout, looks to be starting vs. Canucks. Vying for his 200th career win, he’s 11-0-3 in past 15 appearances (14 starts, no regulation losses since March 1) w a 2.34 GAA and .918 SV%
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 21, 2022
Betting odds
WynnBET has Minnesota favored by 1.5 goals in the first of back-to-back home games for the Wild.. Minnesota also is favored on the moneyline at -170. The Canucks are the underdog at +150 and the over/under for the matchup is listed at six goals.
Upcoming Wild schedule
Friday, April 22: Seattle, 7 p.m. CST
Sunday , April 24: @Nashville, 7 p.m. CST
Tuesday, April 26: Arizona, 7 p.m. CST