New York Islanders vs Minnesota Wild Prediction, 2/8/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Minnesota Wild

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025

Location: Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (+162) Wild (-196)

Xcel Energy Center is the site where the Minnesota Wild (31-19-4) will take on the New York Islanders (25-21-7) on Saturday. The line on this matchup has the Islanders at +162 while the Wild are coming in at -196. The betting total comes in at 6.

The New York Islanders were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 2-1 win against the Golden Knights their last time out. New York compiled 2 penalty mins in this game. In addition, they had 1 attempt on the power play but weren't able to convert it into a goal. The Islanders had a below average offensive outing in this victory. In the matchup, they tallied a score on 2 of the 14 shots they tried.

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In reference to scoring goals, the New York Islanders have notched 144 goals (26th in the league) on the year and have surrendered 151. For the year, they have scored 57 points and their points percentage is sitting at .538. New York skates onto the rink with 125 power play chances and they have tallied 15 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 12.00%. While playing at even strength, the Islanders have allowed the opponent to score 118 goals while getting 129 of their own. New York has attempted 1,515 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.5%. The Islanders have seen 1,507 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .900. New York Islanders opponents have earned 112 power play tries (32nd in the league) and have tallied 33 goals in those chances.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Ilya Sorokin. Opponents have been able to score 570 goals against Sorokin in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 3.01. Sorokin has participated in 230 games during his professional hockey career. His save percentage is at .918 in his 11,348 minutes guarding the cage. He has amassed an overall record of 115-79-34 and he was named the starter in 225 games. Over the course of his pro career, Sorokin has recorded 152 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .676. Sorokin has had 6,913 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 6,343 total saves.

In their last game, Minnesota faced off against the Bruins in a game where the Wild ended up losing by a final of 3-0. They had 4 power play chances in this matchup but were not able to net one. The Wild scored 0 goals of the 35 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Wild have earned 127 goals at even strength and 26 goals (25th in the NHL) while on the power play. Minnesota has taken 1,498 shots (19th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.21%, while allowing the opposition 1,616 shots. For the season, the Minnesota Wild have 153 goals, 66 points, in addition to a points percentage of .611. They have permitted 153 goals to be scored by way of 113 goals at even strength and 40 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 138 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 18.84%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 70.80% on their opponents 137 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage currently comes in at 90.5%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Filip Gustavsson protecting the goal. Gustavsson has a lifetime mark of 72-51-17 and has participated in 146 games. Gustavsson's rate of quality starts comes in at 59.4% and he has made 82 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has accrued 3,949 stops out of the 4,329 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .912. His opponents are averaging 3.54 goals per contest and he has conceded 380 goals in total. He has been a starter 138 games and has played 6,441 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota (-196)

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