The first-round playoff clash of the Stanley Cup between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild will be held on April 23 at the T-Mobile Arena. The series score is 1-0 in favor of Vegas. Vegas vs. Minnesota: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Vegas Golden Knights
Bruce Cassidy's team secured a 4-2 victory in the series opener. The team converted two power plays, despite nearly doubling their opponent in physical battles (29:54). Two players, Brett Howden (2+0) and Tomas Hertl (1+1), each scored two points. Currently, in this Stanley Cup campaign, Vegas leads in power play efficiency with a 100% conversion rate.
- Vegas has scored at least three goals in regular time in 5 of their last 6 NHL home encounters.
- The team has won in regulation in their last three home league games.
- No more than six goals were scored in regular time in 9 of Vegas's last 11 NHL games.
Minnesota Wild
John Hynes' team played their tenth consecutive NHL game without a regulation win in the series opener (6 losses, 4 draws). Notable players for Minnesota were Matt Boldy (2+0) and Kirill Kaprizov (0+2). It is worth noting that the team currently has the worst penalty kill percentage in this Stanley Cup campaign (0%).
- Minnesota has not scored more than two goals in regular time in 6 of their last 8 NHL meetings at Vegas.
- The team has lost 7 of their last 8 away league games (1 in OT, 1 in shootouts).
- No more than six goals were scored in regular time in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 NHL away games.
Vegas vs. Minnesota: Match Prediction
Vegas didn't find it easy to secure their first series win, considering that the opponent kept pushing but remained composed and quite deliberate. Minnesota wasn't unprepared for the opponent's game and could have posed problems, but Vegas, leveraging their experience, looks more convincing in this matchup.
I believe Vegas will maintain the same style in the upcoming game, without rushing, but still capitalizing on their opportunities. The team hasn't had issues scoring in head-to-head encounters with Minnesota, netting at least three goals in regular time in their last eight NHL meetings at home. Furthermore, they haven't scored less than this in all their head-to-head meetings this season.
I think Vegas shouldn't slow down in terms of scoring, so my prediction: Vegas Golden Knights individual total over 3 goals
