Avalanche vs Wild Prediction, Odds & Picks (Feb. 15): Minnesota’s Offense Continues to Struggle

The NHL has an exciting schedule planned for Wednesday, Feb. 15, including a matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT. The two rivals are tied for third place in the Central Division at 61 points apiece. After Colorado won the first encounter of the season, it’ll be interesting to see who wins the latest chapter of the Avalanche vs Wild rivalry.

Take the point and keep moving forward. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/fL18YaBNOQ

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 15, 2023

The Avalanche were in action on Valentine’s Day, falling 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a shootout. While the outcome wasn’t what they desired, losing in a shootout means that the Avs have picked up at least one point in 10 of their last 12 games, leaving time to tell if that trend continues tonight.

Meanwhile, the Wild also fell in a shootout in their last outing, losing 2-1 to the Florida Panthers on Monday. The loss marked Minnesota’s seventh defeat in its last 10 outings, so it’s unsurprising that fans hope for a better result tonight.

There are a plethora of betting opportunities heading into tonight’s Avalanche vs Wild showdown. Here’s a look at BetOnline Sportsbook’s latest odds for the game, as well as a prediction and the best bet to make, courtesy of Betting News.

Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Colorado Avalanche (28-19-5, 15-10-1 Away) vs. Minnesota Wild (28-20-5, 16-9-2 Home)
• Venue & Location: Xcel Energy Center (St. Paul, Minnesota)
• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023
• Game Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Avalanche vs Wild TV Info: TNT

Avalanche vs Wild Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 9:05 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Colorado Avalanche +1.5 (-220)
• Minnesota Wild -1.5 (+176)

Over/Under

• Over 6 Goals (-110)
• Under 6 Goals (-110)

Moneyline

• Colorado Avalanche +122
• Minnesota Wild -146

Avalanche vs Wild Betting Trends

• Colorado is 6-3 straight up in its last nine games against Minnesota.
• Minnesota is 2-5 straight up in its last seven games against the Western Conference.
• The total has hit the under in eight of Colorado’s last nine road games.
• The total has hit the under in eight of Minnesota’s last nine home games.
• The total has hit the over in seven of the last 10 Colorado-Minnesota matchups.

Avalanche Look to Reverse Fortunes

Although it’s impressive that the Avalanche have points in 10 of their last 12 games, they’ve had a tough time winning games lately. They’ve lost four of their last six outings, going 2-2-2 during that span.

One of the key reasons why the Avs have struggled to close out their recent opponents is a decline on the power play. While Colorado owns the ninth-best power play this season (23.5%), the unit is only clicking at 13.3% over the last six games.

It’s going to be interesting to see if the Avalanche can find PP success against the Wild. For starters, Minnesota’s penalty kill ranks No. 10 in the NHL (81.0%) and has only been getting better. The Wild have gone six of their last seven games without allowing a power-play goal, killing 95.2% of penalties over that stretch.

The silver lining is that the Avalanche are 10-of-35 (28.6%) on the power play in their last 10 games against the Wild, which includes a PP goal in the first meeting of the 2022-23 campaign between these teams back in October.

It also looks like Alexandar Georgiev will be Colorado’s starting goaltender tonight, per Daily Faceoff. He’s been playing well lately, going 6-2-1 in his last nine starts with a 2.64 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.

Considering how it was Georgiev who got the win over Minnesota in the first Avalanche vs Wild matchup, his presence should give the Avalanche a boost.

Can the Wild Stop the Bleeding?

The Wild have looked solid at points this season, but that hasn’t been the case over the last 10 games. A 3-6-1 record over the last 10 games has left fans questioning whether this team can make the playoffs or not.

If the Wild want to break out of their funk by beating the Avalanche, they need to re-discovering their offense. They’re only averaging 1.9 goals over the last 10 games, having been held to exactly one in four of their last five outings.

Though the Avalanche aren’t an offensive juggernaut this season, they’ve still scored at least three goals in five of their last seven games. For reference, the Wild have only scored three goals once in February.

Even more embarrassing is that only seven different Wild players have scored over the last 10 games. While names like Joel Eriksson Ek, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy are still scoring, Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello only have one goal apiece over that stretch. On top of that, Frederick Gaudreau, Marcus Foligno and Jordan Greenway have combined for zero goals in that span.

A lack of offense hasn’t been the Wild’s only issue lately. Marc-Andre Fleury — their starting goaltender tonight — has a 3.40 GAA and .898 SV% in his last nine starts, allowing five goals on just 23 shots in his last outing. Considering how he’s allowed four-plus goals in three of his last five starts against Colorado, it’s hard to have confidence in Fleury tonight, yet again.

Avalanche vs Wild Prediction and Picks

Avalanche vs Wild Prediction: Avalanche 4, Wild 1

Avalanche vs Wild Best Bets: Avalanche ML (Best Value: +122 at BetOnline) & Under 6 Goals (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline)

Momentum is on the Avalanche’s side and that will help them get things done tonight. The Wild are hard to trust due to a lack of scoring and reliable goaltending. Colorado doesn’t have that issue and after already beating Minnesota 6-3 on the road earlier this season, the Avs are in a good place to win again.

I’m also backing the total going under six goals as another betting option. The under is 8-1 in Colorado’s last nine road games, as well as 8-1 in Minnesota’s last nine at home. With the Wild’s offense nowhere to be found lately, erring on the side of caution with the under is the way to go.

Other Avalanche vs Wild Betting Resources

• Avalanche vs Wild Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats

Other NHL Stories on Betting News (Feb. 15)

• Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs Prediction, Odds & Picks (Feb. 15): Can Toronto Extend Chicago’s Road Losing Streak?