Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Every day, Last Word on Hockey provides insights and analysis to predict the outcome of the games on the NHL schedule. Today, we will examine the matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Minnesota Wild. Be sure to check out all of our NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season moves along.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-Head: Bruins 1-0 Wild
Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: NESN; SN360; TNT; TruTV; Max
The Bruins (28-25-8) head to Minnesota to take on the Wild (34-22-4) at the Xcel Energy Center. Sunday afternoon’s game will be the second and final matchup between these two teams, with the Bruins leading the season series 1-0. The B’s beat the Wild 3-0 less than a month ago on February 4 back in Boston. The Bruins are fighting to stay in the playoff mix while the Wild try to stay afloat despite some key players missing.
Bruins Must Continue Strong Defensive Play and Stay Disciplined
On Saturday, the Bruins finally got back in the win column after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-2. David Pastrnak continued his remarkable run, scoring his 32nd goal and adding his 43rd assist. ‘Pasta’ was elite once again but he finally got some help, specifically from the Bruins’ back end who were stellar throughout the night, not allowing the Penguins to have any success in their end for majority of the game until a little scare in the last five minutes. Even without forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek, the Wild can punish you offensively if you give them opportunities. Young guns like Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi will capitalize on chances so Boston must carry over their defensive performance to Sunday afternoon.
The Bruins’ penalty kill was elite against the Penguins, killing six of seven penalties taken. However, taking seven penalties against a better team like Minnesota will likely be detrimental as going six for seven would be highly unlikely. The Bruins need to control their sticks against the Wild after taking four stick infraction penalties against the Pens. Stay out of the box and you will have a much higher chance of winning two games in a row.
Unfortunately, the black and gold could be without their captain. Brad Marchand went awkwardly into the boards in a collision early in the game. The 36-year-old suffered an upper body injury and did not return to action. Georgii Merkulov and Matthew Poitras will have a chance to play a bigger role with the possible absence of their captain. Starting in net will be Jeremy Swayman as he looks to bounce back after a rough stretch. Swayman and the Bruins look to use Saturday’s victory as a momentum booster as they hope steal two points in Minnesota.
Wild Need Secondary Scoring
Although they’re missing Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek, the Wild need to be better offensively and it starts with secondary scoring. Minnesota has struggled offensively as of late, only scoring more three or more goals twice in their last eight contests. Recently acquired forward Gustav Nyquist could slot in and add some much needed offensive skill to the lineup. If he is unable to play, the Wild still need to find a way to beat Swayman.
Players like Frederick Gaudreau and Marcus Johansson will need to find a way to generate some offence against Boston. They will have to take advantage of Boston’s relatively slow d-core by beating them wide, with the other forward(s) crashing the net looking for a rebound. Swayman has been shaky controlling rebounds as of late so if the wild can get get bodies to the front of the net they are more likely to find success. Scoring could be hard to come by, but if the Bruins make mistakes the Wild have forwards who should be able to make them pay.
Starting in net will likely be Filip Gustavsson. The Swedish goalie has had a solid campaign so far, and should be up for the task of trying to stop the red hot Pastrnak. Brock Faber and the Wild d-core will have to be at their best whenever Pastrnak is on the ice. They cannot double team him too often as his playmaking has been exceptional lately. The key to victory for the Wild is getting production from their depth, while limiting the Bruins best player. Minnesota needs every point possible while Kaprizov is out to avoid slipping in the standings.
Prediction
Both teams need a win, but the Bruins need one a little more at the moment. The B’s have been successful on the second nights of back-to-backs this season. With potentially tired legs, expect Boston’s young guns to be involved against Minnesota. The Wild will have to overcome the absence of two of their most important forwards while trying to stop a red-hot Pastrnak. The Bruins will get their first back-to-back wins since February 1st-4th.
Prediction: Bruins win 5-2
Prop Bets of The Night
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets for this game. Pastrnak is an obvious bet to score, listed at +120 as an anytime goal scorer. Another Bruins bet could be on Poitras anytime goal set at +550. Poitras hasn’t scored since November 2, but Sunday afternoon will be the day he breaks the slump. Boldy is leading the team with Kaprizov out, he is listed at +140 to find the back of the night. The Bruins are +126 underdogs on the road.
Main photo by: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The post NHL Predictions: March 2nd Boston Bruins Vs. Minnesota Wild appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.