The Minnesota Wild (18-6-1) and San Jose Sharks (14-11-1) meet Thursday for a 10:30 p.m. ET puck drop at SAP Center. Below, we look at the Wild vs. Sharks odds and lines and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
Minnesota leads the Central Division with 37 points and enter this contest with a seven-game win streak in tow. The NHL’s third-leading team in scoring (3.72 goals per game) is on the second leg of a four-game western swing. Minnesota won at the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 Tuesday.
The Sharks are coming off a 5-3 home win over the Calgary Flames Tuesday. The San Jose penalty-killing unit has gone a combined 9-for-10 in helping the club to a 4-2 record over its last six games. That stretch comes after the Sharks went just 6-9-1 over their previous 16 games.
Wild at Sharks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Wild -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Sharks +122 (bet $100 to win $122)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wild -1.5 (+160) | Sharks +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
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Wild at Sharks projected goalies
Cam Talbot (14-5-0, 2.62 GAA, .919 SV%) vs. Adin Hill (6-7-0, 2.80 GAA, .905 SV%)
Talbot hasn’t lost since Nov. 20. He owns a 5-0 record with a sparkling .951 SV% since. The 34-year-old has logged a .930 SV% and a 2.38 GAA across 11 road starts.
Hill registered a clunker two starts back, but he has been solid overall in recent weeks. The 25-year-old owns a .929 SV% over his last five games. The Sharks have been above-average at preventing high-danger looks, and Hill has been quite good against shots from distance.
Wild at Sharks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Wild 4, Sharks 2
Money line
Minnesota is on a roll and started their current road trip with Tuesday’s win. The high-octane Wild are 7-1 in their last eight games played on one day of rest.
A few recent San Jose triumphs have come alongside some puck-possession and shot analytics that don’t reflect some solid numbers on the scoreboard. Those same wins were somewhat fueled by success on the man advantage.
Minnesota is a lean here, but the risk/reward and payoff on the puck line make that the more attractive play. PASS.
Against the spread
Eight of Minnesota’s last 10 victories have been of the multi-goal variety. Six of the Sharks’ last seven losses meet the same criteria.
BACK THE WILD -1.5 (+160).
Over/Under
Keep an eye on this tag. The OVER 5.5 (-135) makes sense up to and including the current price. Avoid anything higher.
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