The Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators begin their journey this season with a Thursday night, Central Division bout. Bridgestone Arena will be rocking, as their Predators welcome in a strong rival that enters the season with a vengeance following yet another playoff disappointment. It is time for our Wild vs. Predators prediction to see how things may unfold.
There has been no shortage of drama in Minnesota as of late -- headlined by superstar Quinn Hughes, who enters the season in the final year of his contract, and major uncertainty for his future. There was also an impactful offseason departure of veteran Mats Zuccarello, and recent skull fracture injury to Brock Faber, has this team in the headlines. However, the fact remains they are icing a brilliant lineup -- and after making the second round for the first time in 11 years last year, I sense them entering the season with a fiery vengeance. Nashville made multiple excellent pickups this off season (Mavrik Bourque, Ross Colton, etc.), but it still has a long way to go in terms of building a competitor. A 38-34-10 record last season speaks to this. While Nashville owns home ice and health advantages, I trust Minnesota’s deep and star-studded roster to handle things. Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes will obviously play a major role -- and accompanied by rapidly-improving Matt Boldy and a steady goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, they should be able to win their first road game of the season. I'm backing Minnesota on the money line for my Wild vs Predators prediction.
Wild vs Predators prediction: Minnesota ML (-150) available at time of publishing. Playable to -160.
