Sartori's prediction: The Golden Knights win by multiple goals thanks in part to Pavel Dorofeyev and Tomas Hertl continuing their dynamic play together.
This article contains predictions for an old game!
The Vegas Golden Knights secured a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 1 of this series.
My Wild vs. Golden Knights predictions expect a similar result in Game 2.
See why that’s the case in my NHL picks on Tuesday, April 22, with the puck set to drop at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Vegas Golden Knights were the superior team in Game 1. Not only did they win, but they also generated more high-danger scoring chances.
Vegas has won its last six meetings against the Minnesota Wild, a trend that will continue tonight.
My Wild pick: Golden Knights -1.5 (+110 at BET99)
After their 4-2 win in Game 1, it’s no surprise the Golden Knights opened as heavy favorites once again in Game 2. Not only were they the better team in that game, but they’ve been stronger than the Wild all season.
Vegas finished the regular season ranked 13th in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), while Minnesota ranked 27th.
The Golden Knights generated more high-danger scoring chances on offense and suppressed them more effectively on the defensive end. Vegas finished third in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and Minnesota finished a few spots below.
Subsequently, Vegas also ranked higher in expected goals for percentage (xGF%).
On paper, the only edge Minnesota may hold is in net. That said, Adin Hill has been outstanding for the Golden Knights, going 10-2-1 over his past 13 starts with a .915 save percentage and 2.05 goals-against average.
Golden Knights -1.5
Pavel Dorofeyev anytime goal
Tomas Hertl Over 0.5 assists
If Vegas is to win by two or more goals, it will need continued offensive production. Forward Pavel Dorofeyev scored off a Tomas Hertl assist in Game 1, and this connection will strike again in Game 2.
Dorofeyev, a dynamic scorer, led the Golden Knights with 35 goals in his first full-length NHL campaign. He’s scored in each of the past three games, with Hertl assisting on two of those goals.
These two should have plenty of chances to reconnect, as they skate together on both the second line and the first power-play unit.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Vegas has won the past six meetings between these teams, with the last three wins coming by at least a two-goal margin. Find more NHL betting trends for Wild vs. Golden Knights.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Tony Sartori has written over 1,000 pieces of sports betting content across multiple different media outlets. He covers the NHL, UFC, PGA, NFL and MLB. Tony started part-time while attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he went on to receive a B.A. in Economics and a certificate in Entrepreneurship in 2022. He continues to work full-time in the sports betting landscape.
Due to the variety of sports he covers, Tony is handicapping every day. If he had one piece of betting advice for a new sports bettor, it would be to strictly enforce bankroll management rules for yourself. If you set aside $10,000 for your betting bankroll, then you should generally only be betting between $100 – $500 per play.
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