NHL Parlays

Wild vs Avalanche parlay pick: Wild +1.5 (-148)

The Wild and Avalanche split the season series by each winning 2 games. They each won a game in regulation and a game in a shootout. As great as the Avalanche are, there is not a huge margin between these teams. Minnesota has proven to be a tough opponent for Colorado, and has already won a game on the road in Denver by a score of 5-2 back in February. Even in game 1, Minnesota put up 6 goals against an Avalanche team that allowed the fewest goals per game in the NHL. As much of an outlier as that may have been, so was the 9 goals the Wild allowed.

Both teams will likely correct in game 2. While the pure matchup still bodes well for a high total, it is unlikely to reach 15 goals, or even close to that, for the rest of the series. After all, Minnesota was not far behind Colorado in goal prevention, as the Wild ranked 4th in the NHL in goals allowed per game. The adjustments these teams make in game 2 should close the gap from what was a 3-goal win by the Avs on Sunday. Colorado will get served a loss at some point in this postseason. It may or may not be on Tuesday, but Minnesota is as good a team as any to make that happen. Getting the outcomes that a Wild +1.5 puck line covers is a nice addition to plus-money Wild vs Avalanche SGP.

Wild vs Avalanche SGP pick: Over 6.5 (-105)

After the offensive outburst in game 1, it is difficult to not see appeal in a game total over. As strong as these teams are on the goal prevention side, the weapons they possess are overwhelming. Minnesota has 2 players who scored over 40 goals, 3 players that averaged over a point per game, 8 players with at least 15 goals, and 6 players with at least 51 points. Colorado has a 53-goal scorer, 2 players that tallied 100+ points, 3 players over a point per game, and 7 players with 15+ goals. Having scored the most goals per game in the league this year, the over has a good chance in every game the Avalanche play.

The over has now hit in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games, as well as in 4 of their last 5 played on the road. That brings their season over/under record to 49-36-4, including 28-15-2 on the road. The high total in Game 1 was nothing new for this Wild team, albeit higher than usual. They have scored 15 goals over their last 3 games, and obviously have tightening up to do on the goal-prevention side. Meanwhile, prior to their Sunday outburst, the Avalanche scored 9 goals across their prior 2 games, so now 18 scored in their last 3. The pure matchup and recent trends bode well for another over.

Wild vs Avalanche SGP pick: Matt Boldy anytime goalscorer (+145)

If the Wild are going to beat the Avalanche, in this game or series, they will likely need contributions from Matt Boldy. Boldy had 42 goals and 85 points in 76 games played this season to go along with a +18 rating in 20:34 of ice-time per night. He occupies an important role on the top 2 lines and top power play, and has proven to be a reliable, productive player. Boldy has rolled the strong form right into the postseason. In 7 games now played in these playoffs, he leads the Wild with 36 shots and 6 goals, and has 10 points. The makeup of those goals are 5 even-strength and 1 power play. Boldy also has a +8 rating and has averaged 24:33 of ice-time, the most among Wild forwards.

The Wild are rightfully leaning on Boldy. This a certified superstar in this league and is playing as such. He has come through in big games this year already, having scored for the United States in the Gold Medal game at the Olympics, as well as an overtime against Dallas in the first round. Boldy now has 12 goals and 21 points in 25 career playoff games, including 11 goals and 17 points in 13 playoff games last year and this year. He is only getting better and is a force to be reckoned with. As good as the Avalanche are, they have proven to be human at several points this year, including allowing 6 goals in game 1. Getting +145 for a league superstar to score in a potential high-scoring game is nice value.