The Utah Hockey Club (15-11-5) travel to face off against the Minnesota Wild (20-8-4) on Friday, December 20th. This game will be played at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul and televised on ESPN+. The Wild are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Hockey Club are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Golden Knights. Puck drop is set for 8:00 ET.

Hockey Club vs Wild

The Utah Hockey Club Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Utah Hockey Club fell to 15-11-5 with a 4-3 loss to the Golden Knights. Utah led 2-0 before Vegas scored four unanswered goals, including the game-winner in overtime.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, and the teams combined for 7, going over the line. Utah, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover.

The Minnesota Wild Are Coming Off A Win

With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild moved to 20-8-4 this season. Minnesota, favored on the puck line, didn’t cover, and the total was set at 6 goals, but the teams combined for just 3.

Ryan Hartman opened the scoring for the Wild at 9:41 in the first period, but the Maple Leafs tied it with only 52 seconds left in the period. Matt Boldy netted the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime.

Utah Offense Breakdown

Utah Hockey Club took 19 shots on goal in their 4-3 loss to Vegas. Logan Cooley scored his second goal of the season, while Ian Cole netted his first and Alexander Kerfoot added his second. Nick Bjugstad picked up two assists, bringing his total to two this season.

Utah scored once in each period, with Cooley’s goal coming 8:08 into the first. Cole followed with a goal at the 8:00 mark of the second period, and Kerfoot scored 13:10 into the third.

Wild Offense Breakdown

Ryan Hartman netted his third goal of the season at 9:41 in the first period, while Matt Boldy followed with his sixth, scoring 2:14 into overtime to secure a 2-1 win for the Wild. Jared Spurgeon picked up assists on both goals, bringing his season total to three.

Minnesota registered 33 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, tallying 15 in the game. Despite their efforts, the Wild were unable to convert on any power play opportunities.

Utah Team Defense

Utah’s defense gave up the first goal at 15:06 in the 2nd period, and they allowed the game-winner at 2:15 in overtime. Connor Ingram made 31 saves with an 88.6% save percentage, while the defense registered 8 takeaways and 21 hits.

Minnesota Team Defense

Defensively, the Wild will look to carry over their performance from their last game, where they allowed just one goal to the Maple Leafs. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage. Minnesota’s defense also contributed 7 takeaways and 22 hits. The only goal they allowed came on a power play late in the first period.

Hockey Club vs Wild Trends

• The Hockey Club are 4-1 puck line in their last road games and 5-0 straight-up.
• Through their last five home contests, the Wild offense has averaged 2 goals per game while allowing an average of 3. Minnesota posted an overall record of 2-3 while going 2-3 ATS.
• The last five games that Minnesota was the underdog, they have an puck line mark of 2-3 while going 1-4 straight up.
• The last ten games that Utah was favored, they have an puck line mark of 3-7 while going 6-4 straight up.

Hockey Club vs Wild Prediction

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Wild to take down the Hockey Club at home. With the moneyline currently at -142, I’m placing my bet on the Wild straight-up.

When it comes to a puck line pick, our choice is the Wild to secure the win and cover. Expect the Wild to dominate this one with a multi-goal win over the Hockey Club.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.