The Minnesota Wild look for their third win in a row today as they head into New York to take on the Rangers at MSG
If the Minnesota Wild can generate the kind of offense they did their last time out, they'll be a tough team to beat given how good they are defensively.
Minnesota (4-2-0) had scored three goals or fewer in four straight games before breaking out for Saturday's 7-2 rout of Tampa Bay. Jason Zucker scored twice and five teammates added tallies as the Wild took advantage of a Lightning club that was finishing a five-game trip and played the night before.
Pay per Head Network is the Best Bookie Software online. Start your free 2 week trial now and experience the best bookmaking software online!
The Rangers head into Monday's encounter sitting with a 4-4 mark through their first eight games including a 2-2 mark at MSG but after making the Stanley Cup finals a season ago we know this Rangers team can turn things around in a hurry. New York did lose some pieces from last year's team but one that has ramped up his game to start the season is Rick Nash who currently sits second in league scoring with 8 goals and if he can get some secondary options to step up than the Blue Shirts should be right back in the playoff mix this season.
New York will go as far as Henrik Lundqvist will carry them but in a show down with Darcy Kuemper it is the Minnesota net minder that is atop the league in shutouts as three of his four wins have come without allowing a goal and he is playing with extreme confidence at the moment. However, this seems to be the type of game that New York shows up for and while the value is there with Minnesota I think the Rangers are getting a great price at home and that's where I'll lean.
Pay per Head Network is the price per head online. Start your free 2 week trial now and experience the best bookmaking software online!
Minnesota is 0 for 20 on the power play, joining lowly Buffalo as the only teams without a man-advantage goal. The Wild have killed off 18 of 19 penalties and will be up against a Rangers' power play that has converted 2 of 22 chances.
New York (4-4-0) had a three-game win streak snapped with Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Montreal. The Rangers trailed after two periods twice in their three-game run but couldn't overturn a one-goal deficit after 40 minutes against the Canadiens.
"I think as a whole group we can play better," coach Alain Vigneault said. "We had won three games in a row, we had came back in two of those games. I thought we had a push in the third, though but obviously it wasn't good enough."
Rangers star Rick Nash was held without a point for just the second time, managing one shot. He has a team-high nine points with an Eastern Conference-best eight goals.
Nash figures to be have a difficult matchup against defenseman Ryan Suter, who leads the NHL in average ice time at 28:31.
Minnesota star Zach Parise, who has a team-high seven points, leads the league with 6.0 shots per game.
Wild defensemen Keith Ballard and Christian Folin have missed the last two games because of flu-like symptoms.
These teams have split their last 12 meetings, including two last season.
Get all the latest SportNews updates on your social media outlets. Find us on Google+!
