Stars vs Wild Game 1 Prediction NHL Playoffs Picks 4/17

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Wild vs Stars - NHL Game Preview - April 17, 2023

The Minnesota Wild will face off against the Dallas Stars in the first round of the NHL playoffs, and it's sure to be an exciting matchup. Both teams are comprised of top rookies from two years ago who have become dominant forces in their respective teams. An NHL picks expert would have a difficult time choosing the winner, as both teams have been performing well. The Stars have a six-game winning streak going into the playoffs, and the Wild is determined to be better than last year after being knocked out in the first round. A computer-generated NHL picks and parlays table would help give us an idea of the potential outcome, but the future is uncertain. What's certain is that this game will be dynamic, with both Kirill Kaprizov and Jason Robertson leading their teams as the top scorers. Experts today are likely to put their best NHL bets on the table and predict that there will be close NHL picks with spread odds. Both teams have something to prove, and the series is sure to be filled with physicality and grit. The North Stars and Wild have a long history, and it's sure to be a bitter rivalry. With seasoned players, rookies, and seasoned rookies, this series will be packed with excitement.

The Wild's offense

While Kirill Kaprizov has had an outstanding sophomore season, there are concerns about the team's overall scoring depth. The team's next highest scorers are Joel Eriksson Ek and Kevin Fiala, both with 19 goals on the season. This lack of production from other forwards could prove problematic in a series against a team like the Stars who have a strong defensive core. Experts may predict that the Wild will need to rely heavily on Kaprizov to carry their offense, which could result in the team being too predictable and allowing the Stars to shut down their top scorer. Additionally, the Wild's power play has been inconsistent throughout the season, ranking 22nd in the league with a conversion rate of only 17.6%. Against a team like the Stars who have a strong penalty kill, the Wild will need to improve their special teams play to have success. Overall, the Wild's offense will need to find ways to generate scoring chances beyond just their top line if they hope to advance past the first round.

Wild: Defensive Analysis

The Minnesota Wild have consistently been a top defensive team this season, and their performance in the playoffs will rely heavily on their ability to defend against the high-powered offense of the Dallas Stars. Led by their elite defenseman Jared Spurgeon, the Wild have the third-best defense in the NHL and have allowed the second-fewest goals against this season. Their success can also be attributed to their goaltending duo of Marc-André Fleury and Filip Gustavsson, who have been excellent all season long. Fleury, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, has a wealth of playoff experience, which will be important in a high-pressure playoff series like this. Gustavsson, although relatively inexperienced, has stepped up in key situations throughout the regular season and has given the Wild solid performances when called upon. In addition to their top-end talent, the Wild also have a deep defensive core that can play significant minutes and limit their opponents' scoring chances. Defensemen Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin have been particularly effective this season and will need to continue their strong play if the Wild hope to advance past the first round. Overall, the Wild's defense is a major strength heading into their playoff series against the Stars. They have the top-ranked penalty kill in the league and have allowed the fewest power play goals against this season. If they can continue to play well defensively and limit the scoring opportunities of the Stars, the Wild have a strong chance of advancing to the second round.

Stars: Offense Analysis

The Stars offense has been exceptional this season, with Jason Robertson becoming the team's first 100-point scorer with 46 goals and 63 assists. Moreover, the team has won six consecutive games coming into the playoffs, which gives them incredible momentum. With such an efficient offense, the Stars definitely have the potential to overcome the Wild's defense. According to NHL picks experts, the Stars are the favorite to win the game, and this is mainly due to their offensive capability. Furthermore, the nhl picks computer has predicted that the Stars will win by a significant margin due to their attacking prowess. The nhl picks em predictions also have the Stars winning the game, with experts citing their high-scoring offense as the main reason. Additionally, the nhl today experts predict that the Stars will have the upper hand in this encounter because of their offensive firepower. NHL picks and parlays have predicted a big win for the Stars as well because their offense is too much for the Wild's defense to handle. Furthermore, the best NHL bets today are on the Stars because of their potent offense. NHL picks with spread have the Stars as the clear favorites, and fans can expect them to win comfortably. The nhl predictions today also favor the Stars due to their lethal attack. In conclusion, the Stars' offense will be a key factor in their game against the Wild. If they continue to score at their usual pace, they have a good chance of winning the game and progressing to the next round of the playoffs.

Stars: Defensive Analysis

As the Dallas Stars prepare to face off the Minnesota Wild in the NHL playoffs, their defensive play will need to be on point. While forward Jason Robertson and Kirill Kaprizov of the Wild may be the leading scorers for their respective teams, the Stars need to focus on shutting down Minnesota's other offensive threats. Goalie Jake Oettinger has been solid in net for the Stars this season, with a 37-11-11 record and five shutouts. The team will rely on his poise and confidence to make crucial saves throughout the series. However, the Stars' defense will need to support him by limiting Minnesota's shots on goal and blocking any attempts that do come through. Dallas will also need to stay disciplined and avoid taking unnecessary penalties, as Minnesota has a potent power-play unit. Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, and Matt Dumba are returning veterans on the Wild's defense, and the Stars' forwards will need to work hard to create scoring opportunities. Overall, the Stars will need to maintain their focus and composure on defense, while also capitalizing on any chances they get on offense. This will be a closely contested series, but with strong defensive play, the Stars have an excellent chance of advancing to the next round of the playoffs. NHL picks experts and computer models predict a tough battle, but with the right defensive strategy, the Stars can come out on top.

Injury Report Analysis

Both the Wild and the Stars are relatively healthy heading into their playoff series. Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, but he skated on his own over the weekend and could be available for Game 1. Meanwhile, the Stars have no significant injury concerns and are expected to be at full strength. Overall, injuries are not expected to play a major factor in this series. Both teams are talented and have their key players healthy and ready to go. As such, nhl picks experts and nhl today experts may find it difficult to easily predict an outright winner based solely on injury reports. NHL picks computer and nhl predictions today may offer a more objective view of which team has an advantage in this regard. Nonetheless, the series is sure to be a competitive and hard-fought battle between two talented young teams.

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