Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild 12/3/23 – The Chicago Blackhawks take on the Minnesota Wild this Sunday in a Central Division matchup. The Blackhawks have struggled this season with a 7-15 record, while the Wild are 7-10-4. In the realm of NHL betting picks, this matchup presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities, with both teams showing mixed forms in their recent games.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild 12/3/23
When: Sunday, December 3, 2:00 PM ET
Where: Xcel Energy Center
TV: NHL
Stream: NHL.TV
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild 12/3/23 Betting Odds:
| Team | PUCKLINE | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackhawks | +1.5 -102 | o6.5 +104 | +252 |  |
| Wild | -1.5 -118 | u6.5 -120 | -288 | |
| ||||
CONNOR BEDARD GOAL (what more can we say) pic.twitter.com/dww8IvTvWe
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 2, 2023
Goaltender Petr Mrazek vs. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson
Goaltender Petr Mrazek has struggled in his first season with the Blackhawks, going just 5-7 with a bloated 3.37 GAA and .890 save percentage. He has already given up 40 goals in only 13 games played. Mrazek will need to tighten up his game against a middling Minnesota offense that scores just 2.52 goals per contest. The Wild feature a balanced attack led by Mats Zuccarello and his 23 points, along with Kirill Kaprizov’s 7 goals. If Mrazek can’t keep the Wild’s scorers at bay, it could be another long night for the Blackhawks netminder. However, the Wild offense has stalled at times this season, ranking 25th overall. If Mrazek brings his A-game, he could frustrate Minnesota.
At the other end, Filip Gustavsson has been average at best for the Wild, going 3-6-2 with a 3.46 GAA. Like Mrazek, Gustavsson has an underwhelming .891 save percentage this campaign. He will be tested by a Blackhawks offense featuring dangerous rookie Connor Bedard (11 goals) and team-leader in points Philipp Kurashev (13). Chicago’s 18th ranked offense scores 3.05 goals per contest, right around league average. If Gustavsson hits a cold streak, the Blackhawks scorers have enough firepower to make him pay. However, consistency has been an issue for Chicago’s young forwards. If Gustavsson locks in, his timely saves could neutralize Blackhawk chances.
In-Depth Analysis: Chicago Blackhawks’ Offense and Key Players
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard stands out with impressive statistics: in 22 games he has scored 11 goals and provided 8 assists, totalling 19 points at 16.2% shooting percentage. However, overall performance has been lackluster with several losses that may shake their confidence. Philipp Kurashev and Jason Dickinson also add depth to Chicago Blackhawks offense with their ability to find scoring opportunities – they must penetrate Minnesota’s defense to maximize scoring chances!
Minnesota Wild’s Offensive Strengths and Standout Performers
Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov have been central figures in Minnesota Wild’s scoring efforts this season. Zuccarello boasts 5 goals and 18 assists while Kaprizov scored 7 goals with 13 assists to spearhead Minnesota Wild scoring efforts. Joel Eriksson Ek adds another goal threat. Their task will be to exploit any weak spots in Chicago Blackhawks defense which have proven vulnerable throughout this campaign; their combined skills may prove instrumental in overpowering their opponent’s defensive strategies.
NHL Betting Odds: Minnesota Wild -196, Over/Under: 6
The Wild are sizable home favorites at -196 on the moneyline at most sportsbooks. The Blackhawks sit at +155 underdogs. The over/under total is set at 6 goals. With both teams in the bottom third in scoring, the under looks enticing at +103 odds.
Trends
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Trends
Chicago are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games.
Blackhawks are 0-9 SU in their last 9 games against Minnesota.
Chicago are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road.
Chicago are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games played in December.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games played on a Sunday when on the road.
Minnesota Wild Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota’s last 9 games.
Minnesota are 2-7 SU in their last 9 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games against Chicago.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota’s last 9 games at home.
Minnesota are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games against an opponent in the Western Conference conference.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Picks
Based on the trends and analysis, the recommended bets are Minnesota on the puckline (-1.5 at -105), and the under 6 goals at plus-money odds. The Wild have dominated this matchup recently, especially at home. With both offenses scuffling and inconsistent goaltending, taking the under also provides value. Check out top sports betting sites for the best NHL odds and prop bets.
Score Prediction: Wild 4, Blackhawks 2.
