Wild vs Blues Prediction NHL Experts Picks 4/8

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Blues vs. Wild - NHL Game Preview - April 8, 2023 | Blues take on the Wild after overtime win

The St. Louis Blues will go up against the Minnesota Wild in an exciting matchup on Saturday, April 8th, 2023. After a thrilling win against the New York Rangers in overtime, the Blues are hoping to carry that momentum into this game. As for the Wild, they have had an impressive 44-24-10 record this season, and they will be looking to add another win to their already impressive numbers. When it comes to NHL picks, experts and computers alike have been predicting a tight matchup between these two teams. On the nhl today experts list, the Blues vs. Wild game is one of the most anticipated games of the season. NHL picks and parlays have been suggesting that the Wild have a slight edge due to their stronger record so far this season, but anything can happen on game day. No matter who you ask, best nhl bets today will definitely include this game as a must-watch matchup. NHL picks with spread are also providing insight into the potential outcomes of this game. NHL predictions today are suggesting that the Wild could come out as the victors, but the Blues have shown that they are not to be underestimated. With outstanding top performers on both teams such as Mats Zuccarello and Robert Thomas, this game is sure to be a thrilling one. Whether you are tuning in to see some of the best players in the league or simply love the sport, the Blues vs. Wild game is definitely the one to watch.

Blues Offensive Analysis:

The Blues have been playing exceptionally well in their last 10 games, averaging four goals per game and securing six wins. Jordan Kyrou has been a key player with six goals and one assist in the past 10 games. However, the absence of Robert Thomas, who is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury, could impact the Blues' offensive performance. The team has a 34-10-3 record when scoring at least three goals, indicating their heavy reliance on a strong offensive game. On the other hand, the Wild have a +19 scoring differential and 226 total goals scored this season, led by Mats Zuccarello with 22 goals and 45 assists. Matthew Boldy has also been a strong performer with 11 goals and three assists in the past 10 games. The Wild have a 5-3-2 record in their last 10 games, averaging three goals per game. Looking at NHL picks and predictions, it is evident that experts and computer models favor the Wild for this matchup. The Blues will need to bring their offensive A-game and capitalize on any scoring opportunities to compete against the strong offensive presence of the Wild. They will need to find a way to break through the Wild's defense, which has only allowed 207 goals this season. In conclusion, the Blues' offensive performance will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game against the Wild. With Robert Thomas potentially out and the Wild's strong offensive game, the Blues will need to work hard to secure a win. However, anything can happen in the game of hockey, and the Blues may surprise fans and experts alike with a strong offensive showing.

Blues: Defensive Analysis

The St. Louis Blues are heading into their game against the Minnesota Wild with a strong defensive strategy. Despite a rocky season, the Blues have been improving their defense throughout their last ten games, and they will need to continue that trend against the Wild, who have a potent offensive attack. One key player to watch on the Blues' defense is Colton Parayko. The 28-year-old defenseman has been a force on the ice lately, with eight points in his last ten games. His defensive prowess will be crucial for the Blues to shut down the Wild's top scorers. Another player to watch is Torey Krug. The former Boston Bruin has been picking up steam on the power play, with four of his five goals this season coming with the man advantage. The Blues will need him to continue to be deadly on the power play if they hope to secure a win. The Blues will also need to continue to limit their penalties if they want to win this game. They have been improving in this area, with an average of 3.7 penalties in their last ten games, but they will need to be even more disciplined against a Wild team that is deadly on the power play. Overall, the Blues' defense has been improving, and they have been playing with more confidence lately. If they can continue to play strong defensively, limit their penalties, and get some offensive support, they have a good chance of upsetting the Wild and coming away with a win. As NHL picks experts, we recommend taking the Blues with the spread, as they have been playing better lately and have a solid defensive strategy. Additionally, NHL picks computer models and NHL picks em predictions suggest that this will be a close game, and the Blues have a good chance of keeping it within the spread. As always, make sure to check in with NHL today experts and NHL experts picks today to get the latest information and insights on this game. And for the best NHL bets today, consider taking the Blues with the spread, as they have the potential to pull off an upset against the Wild.

Wild: Offensive Analysis

The Wild have been a strong offensive team throughout the season, averaging 3.10 goals per game. Mats Zuccarello has been the driving force behind the Wild's offensive success, with 22 goals and 45 assists. In addition, Matthew Boldy has been on fire, scoring 11 goals and three assists over the past 10 games. On the other hand, the Blues have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 3.09 goals per game. The Wild will need to take advantage of this weakness and continue to capitalize on their offensive opportunities. Furthermore, the Wild have a strong powerplay, converting on 20.8% of their opportunities. The Blues, on the other hand, have struggled on the penalty kill, allowing a 79.7% success rate. The Wild will need to utilize their special teams advantage to gain an edge in the game. Overall, the Wild have the offensive firepower to take down the struggling Blues, especially with Zuccarello and Boldy leading the charge. NHL picks experts and computer predictions are likely favoring the Wild, and NHL experts picks today could point towards a high-scoring game with the Wild coming out on top. Look for the Wild to put up a strong offensive performance and potentially cover the spread in this game.

Wild: Defensive Analysis

The Minnesota Wild have a solid defensive setup that has allowed them to maintain a +19 scoring differential this season. The team has allowed an average of 2.6 goals per game and has managed to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities with an average of 4.2 penalties and 9.6 penalty minutes per game. Injuries to key players Gustav Nyquist, Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Oskar Sundqvist have affected the team's defensive capabilities. However, the Wild's defensemen have stepped up their game to keep the team's playoff hopes alive. One such player is Ryan Suter, who has contributed to the team's outstanding defensive performance with 98 blocked shots and 23 takeaways. Jonas Brodin has also made significant contributions to the team's defense with 87 blocked shots and a +9 rating. The Wild's goaltending has also been solid this season, with both Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen playing pivotal roles in the team's success. Talbot has put up a .915 save percentage with a 2.52 goals-against average, while Kahkonen has a .910 save percentage and a 2.82 goals-against average. Overall, the Wild's defensive setup is strong, but the absence of key players due to injuries could be a challenge. However, the team has shown that they can adjust and make up for the loss of players with their depth and talent. As such, the Wild's defense is likely to play a critical role in the outcome of their upcoming game against the St. Louis Blues. NHL picks experts and computer predictions have not yet been made for this game. However, based on their recent defensive performance, the Wild may have the edge in this game. Nonetheless, it is always best to keep an eye on NHL picks and expert predictions to gain a better understanding of which teams are likely to prevail.

Injury Report

Both teams have several players on their injury list for this upcoming game. The Wild will be without Gustav Nyquist, who is out with a shoulder injury, and Mason Shaw, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Kirill Kaprizov is also out with a lower body injury and Joel Eriksson Ek and Oskar Sundqvist are listed as day to day with lower body injuries. The Blues will be missing Marco Scandella for the remainder of the season due to a lower body injury. Robert Thomas is also listed as day to day with an upper body injury. These injuries could potentially impact the game and the performance of both teams. However, the depth of each team may alleviate some concerns. It will be important for the remaining players to step up and fill the void left by the injured players. 

Prediction:

While the Wild have a strong record in Central Division play, the Blues have been playing well lately and have a solid record when scoring at least three goals. Despite the Wild’s strong performance this season, the Blues have the edge in this matchup. Blues win a close one in regulation, 3-2. 

Pick: Blues (Moneyline).