Minnesota Wild vs Florida Panthers: The Wild will be close to victory

Prediction for the NHL Minnesota Wild vs Florida Panthers match, which will take place on February 19. Check the team conditions and choose several betting options.

After the All-Star break, Minnesota managed to play 4 games, two of which they were stronger and two of which they lost. Interestingly, Dean Evason's team suffered both losses in Winnipeg to the local Jets. Both were 0:2, and 3:6 on the eve of the game with Florida. The Jets were probably getting revenge for the Wild' 1:7 away defeat in the first game of the season series.

If the Wild lost two games to the same team, they beat different groups. Minnesota beat Carolina 3:2 and Detroit 7:4 on their home ice. One of the Wild's key players, Russian forward Kirill Kaprizov, has phenomenal form. In his last three games, he had three goals and three assists. Thanks to Kaprizov's 22+37 goals-against average for the season, Minnesota remains one of the top-scoring teams in the league with a 3.78 goals per game average. Only Colorado and Florida scored more.

The Panthers met on the road with Carolina. Unlike their returning rival, the game was the first for Florida after more than a week's break. In such circumstances, it isn't easy to perform quality hockey. Andrew Brunette's team managed to hold on, allowed only two goals, and scored their second goal 50 seconds before the final siren. They also won in overtime. It's a sign of a truly great team. It looks like Florida's success this season might well extend beyond the regular season.

Florida's Russian goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is having an excellent season. He already has 22 wins on only four losses, 91.9% shooting saved and only 2.54 conceded goals per game average. That is phenomenal for a goaltender. Bobrovsky's presence on Florida's last line makes it impossible to fully consider Minnesota the favourite for the upcoming game, even though they are playing at home. Kirill Kaprizov and his team could have trouble on the offensive end, as they played in the first game of their season series with the Panthers. The Wild scored two of their four goals while playing with an empty net in the final minute.

Minnesota will have a tough time, but the Wild should not lose in regulation time. The team will surely try hard to make up for their loss the other day in Winnipeg and take revenge on Florida for their road loss in November. While the Panthers are just getting back into the game rhythm, there are plenty of chances to do so.

Prediction: Minnesota will score points against Florida, but probably only one. In the recent game against Carolina, the Panthers showed that they should not be underestimated under any circumstances.

• 1X +Total Over 3.5 for 1.85
• Draw for 4.20
• Correct Score 3:3 for 12