The stage is set for the 2023 NCAA National Championship — and it is definitely going to be a good one as we will see the Minnesota Gophers take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
These have been the two best teams all season and it is going to be a showdown between one of the best offensive programs in the nation against the best defensive team.
There will be an incredible atmosphere in Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay and I am super excited to tune into this game. The storyline is quite exciting as well, Minnesota is seeking its first National Championship in 20 years and Quinnipiac can win its first in program history.
Find out my best bet in our free Frozen Four betting picks and predictions for Michigan vs. Quinnipiac on April 8.
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Minnesota vs Quinnipiac odds
| Minnesota | Quinnipiac | |
|---|---|---|
| -165 | Moneyline | +135 |
| -1.5 (+150) | Puck Line | +1.5 (-185) |
| Over 6.5 (-105) | Total | Under 6.5 (-125) |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings on April 7, 2023.
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Minnesota vs Quinnipiac picks and predictions
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are heavy favorites in this game and rightfully so, as they are loaded with offensive talent throughout their lineup. They have also won eight out of their last nine games leading up to this one, but that doesn't mean you should count out the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
This Quinnipiac team is certainly proving that defense does win championships, as the Bobcats have only allowed three goals against in their three tournament games. Both of these teams have that “team of destiny” feeling to them, but I think the best value in this matchup is favoring Quinnipiac.
Sure, they don’t have the big names that Minnesota has like Logan Cooley, Matthew Knies, and Jimmy Snuggerud, but they do boast two incredible freshmen in Collin Graf and Sam Lipkin.
And of course, the x-factor in this game will be goaltender Yaniv Perets, who has put this Bobcats team on his back all season long, setting a new program record with 33 wins while also sporting a .932 SV%.
The key to this game for the Bobcats is scoring the first goal and then smothering their opponents defensively. The Bobcats have been in this situation before, appearing in a national championship in Tampa back in 2016 when they fell short against North Dakota.
This time around, I think they will get it done. I’m riding with the Cats.
My best bet: Quinnipiac moneyline (+150 at BetMGM)
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Minnesota vs Quinnipiac moneyline analysis
The Bobcats just showed the entire country how good they are in their defensive end as they limited the second-best offensive team in the nation to just two goals.
Minnesota is slightly more talented up front than Michigan, but they are also going to have a hard time getting through the neutral zone and making plays against this very strong Quinnipiac defense.
Quinnipiac has also shown that they are willing to outwork teams that possess superior talent. The Bobcats can score goals as well, as they come in averaging 3.98 goals per game — fourth-best in the nation.
Minnesota vs Quinnipiac Over/Under analysis
Both of these teams have been very sound defensively in their three tournament games. The Bobcats have only allowed three goals against, while the Gophers have given up five.
This season, the Bobcats are allowing just 1.55 goals against per game, while the Gophers are sitting at a 2.23 GAA. When you add in the pressure of playing in the national championship, most players will be gripping their sticks a little extra tight.
The Under has hit in the last six straight national championship games, and for the most part, those games have been completely one-sided. I’d say there is a ton of pressure on both teams, but the goaltenders have answered the bell whenever they have had to this season.
Perets and Close are going to have to be at their best since both of these programs can put the puck in the net. That being said, I think the goalies will shine and this game will stay low-scoring.
I'd lean towards the Under in this one.
Minnesota vs Quinnipiac game info
| Location: | Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL |
| Date: | Saturday, April 8, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN2 |
