The Minnesota Wild host the Seattle Kraken at the Xcel Energy Center tonight to close out the NHL season. The Wild are home favorites on the NHL odds board as they return from a long road trip.
It’s been a disappointing season for both clubs after reaching the playoffs last year. The Wild were technically alive in the race until last week, but the Kraken have been out of it for a while.
Read on for our Kraken vs. Wild predictions and NHL picks on Thursday, April 18th.
Kraken vs Wild prediction
My best bet
Kirill Kaprizov Over 3.5 shots on goal (-165 at BetMGM)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
After a six-game road trip out West, the Minnesota Wild are back at home for one final game in front of their home crowd. They’re 20-14-6 at home on the season and will look to give their fans a thrill in the season finale.
Star forward Kirill Kaprizov should be able to do just that — they do call him Kirill the Thrill, after all.
Kaprizov leads the Wild with 95 points (45 goals, 50 assists) and 271 shots on goal in 74 games this season. He’s been running hot for quite a while now with 32 points in 20 games since March 3, recording a point in 18 of those contests. Kaprizov has also been shooting the puck at a high volume during that stretch, averaging just over four shots on goal per game, and has gone Over 3.5 shots in seven straight, including three straight Over 4.5 shots on goal.
After being held to just two shots on goal and an assist in his first game against the Kraken this season, Kaprizov exploded for three points (two goals, one assist) on four shots in the last meeting.
The Wild and Kraken should play some open hockey, which will allow Kaprizov to keep shooting. He’s had at least six shot attempts in each of the seven games during his current 4+ SOG streak.
Kraken vs Wild same-game parlay (SGP)
Kirill Kaprizov 4+ shots on goal
Wild -1.5
The Kraken have packed it in in recent weeks. They’re on a four-game losing streak with just six goals scored in that span. They had lost three straight games by at least two goals before a 4-3 loss in Winnipeg on Tuesday night.
The Wild already beat the Kraken twice this season by three goals in each victory, so we’re going with the puck line as the second leg of our same-game parlay.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Kraken vs Wild odds
Kraken vs Wild live odds
Kraken vs Wild opening odds
- Puck line: Seattle +1.5 (-185) | Minnesota -1.5 (+155)
- Moneyline: Seattle +125 | Minnesota -150
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-105) | Under 6 (-115)
Kraken vs Wild moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- The Wild odds are hanging out around -150 after opening at -155. You can get the Wild -146 at FanDuel.
- The Kraken are between +120 and +130 after opening at that same +130 price.
- The total opened at six but has moved down to 5.5 at some shops.
- You can get Over 6 (+102) and Under 6 (-115) or Over 5.5 (-130) and Under 5.5 (+106).
Kraken vs Wild trend
The Minnesota Wild have hit the Game Total Under in 24 of their last 43 games at home (+4.65 Units / 10% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Kraken vs. Wild.
Kraken vs Wild game info
| Location: | Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN |
| Date: | Thursday, 4-18-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Kraken vs Wild latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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