Wild vs Stars Prediction Game 6 NHL Playoffs Picks 4/28
- Lm Tipster
- Apr 27, 2023, 8:31:04 PM
© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Introduction
As we approach Game 6 of the West 1st Round series between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild, tension is high as the Stars lead the series 3-2. This has been an exciting series, with each game being hard-fought by both teams. In this NHL predictions article, we will take a closer look at the offenses, defenses, and injuries of both teams, and provide expert insigh.
Offense
The Dallas Stars have a strong offense, led by Jason Robertson, who has been instrumental in their success this season. He has scored 46 goals and has a total of 109 points. Kirill Kaprizov is the Wild's top scorer, with 40 goals and 75 points. While both teams have impressive scoring leaders, the Stars have the upper hand in goals scored per game with an average of 3.41, compared to the Wild's average of 2.91.
However, the Wild have a more balanced offensive attack, with five players who have scored at least 20 goals this season. Mats Zuccarello has been a key contributor for the Wild, with 20 power-play points and 45 assists. Victor Rask and Kevin Fiala have also been instrumental in their offensive success, scoring 22 and 20 goals respectively. This depth on the Wild's offense will be a challenge for the Stars to contain.
Defense
The Dallas Stars have a solid defense, allowing an average of 2.62 goals against per game. They have one of the best penalty-killing units in the league, with a success rate of 83.5%. On the other hand, the Wild have allowed an average of 2.67 goals against per game and have a slightly weaker penalty-killing unit with a success rate of 82.0%.
One area where the Wild have the edge over the Stars is in blocked shots. The Wild have a total of 1,329 blocked shots this season, with Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon leading the team with 158 and 154 blocked shots respectively. In comparison, the Stars have a total of 995 blocked shots this season, with Miro Heiskanen leading the team with 108 blocked shots.
Injuries
Both teams have key players who are listed as day-to-day with injuries. For the Stars, Joe Pavelski, who has been an important contributor to their offensive success, is listed as day-to-day. For the Wild, Joel Eriksson Ek is also listed as day-to-day, and his absence could impact their offensive and defensive strategies.
Prediction
Based on the offenses, defenses, and injuries of both teams, we predict that the Minnesota Wild will win Game 6 and tie the series. The Wild have the advantage of playing at home and have a more balanced offensive attack, which will make it difficult for the Stars to contain. Additionally, the Wild's strong defense, especially in terms of blocked shots, will make it difficult for the Stars to get shots on goal.
Furthermore, the Wild have shown resilience throughout the season, especially in this series. They bounced back from a 3-1 deficit in the series against the Stars and won Game 5 convincingly. Their top scorer, Kirill Kaprizov, has been performing consistently, and his offensive prowess will be crucial for the Wild's success in Game 6.
The Wild's goaltending has also been strong, with Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson splitting the duties in the series. They have kept the Wild in games and have made crucial saves when needed.
Pick: Wild ML -115
