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Minnesota Wild vs. Carolina Hurricanes: Preview, Predictions and Picks for January 4, 2025

Updated on:
Jan 4, 2025 8:00 PM
The Minnesota Wild, sitting atop the Central Division with a 24-11-4 record, travel to the Lenovo Center on Saturday, January 4 to take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who possess a strong 23-13-2 mark in the Metropolitan Division. The Wild's impressive 14-3-3 road record will be put to the test against the Hurricanes' dominant 14-4-0 home stretch. Expect a high-intensity matchup between these two NHL powerhouses.
Minnesota Wild vs Carolina Hurricanes

Current Odds

MIN
CAR
Over
4.5
-110
Under
4.5
-110
MIN
-2.5
+135
CAR
+1.5
+135
MIN
ML
-560
CAR
ML
+500

Wild vs Hurricanes statistics

Stat Wild Hurricanes
Goals For per Game 2.95 3.45
Goals Against Average 2.69 2.76
Shots per Game 28.5 32.2
Shots Against per Game 29.3 25.2
Power Play Goals 19 30
Power Play Goals Against 28 17
Short Handed Goals 3 3
Short Handed Goals Against 0 0
Penalty Minutes 295 272
Power Play Percentage 18.6 25.0
Penalty Kill Percentage 70.2 85.5

Carolina Hurricanes recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
1/2/25 @ Florida Panthers W 3-1
12/31/24 @ Columbus Blue Jackets L 4-3 SO
12/28/24 vs New Jersey Devils W 5-2
12/27/24 @ New Jersey Devils L 4-2
12/23/24 @ Nashville Predators L 5-2

Minnesota Wild recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
1/2/25 @ Washington Capitals W 4-3 SO
12/31/24 vs Nashville Predators W 5-3
12/29/24 vs Ottawa Senators L 3-1
12/27/24 @ Dallas Stars W 3-2 OT
12/23/24 vs Chicago Blackhawks W 4-3

Carolina Hurricanes injuries

  • Tyson Jost (C): Out
  • Shayne Gostisbehere (D): Out
  • Jack Drury (C): Injured Reserve
  • Pyotr Kochetkov (G): Day-To-Day
  • Seth Jarvis (C): Injured Reserve

Minnesota Wild injuries

  • Jared Spurgeon (D): Out
  • Kirill Kaprizov (LW): Injured Reserve
  • Joel Eriksson Ek (C): Injured Reserve
  • Filip Gustavsson (G): Day-To-Day
  • Yakov Trenin (C): Injured Reserve

Wild vs Hurricanes game info

Type Info
Venue Lenovo Center
Location Raleigh, NC
Puck drop Sat 7:00 PM

Wild vs Hurricanes predictions

As the Minnesota Wild gear up to face the Carolina Hurricanes, all eyes are on left winger Kirill Kaprizov, who unfortunately will be missing in action due to injury. Nonetheless, the Wild have depth in their roster and could see players like Mats Zuccarello stepping up to fill the void. His playmaking skills have been impressive thus far, and with Kaprizov out, Zuccarello might seize this opportunity to lead the charge on offense. Stalwart defenseman Jonas Brodin will be crucial in anchoring the blue line, combining speed with strategic play to thwart the Hurricanes' forwards.

Turning our attention to the Carolina Hurricanes, they’ve got some firepower of their own. Jack Roslovic has shown he's a sharpshooter this season, leading the team with 17 goals. It wouldn’t be a stretch to predict he’ll be looking to increase that tally against the Wild. Meanwhile, Martin Necas, with his team-leading 31 assists, is the heartbeat of the Hurricanes’ offensive setup. His ability to thread the puck through the tightest of defenses might just spell trouble for Minnesota if they're not alert. Fans can expect Necas to be creative with his passes, aiming to set up his teammates in prime scoring positions.

With both sides showcasing a blend of talent and strategy, predicting a winner isn’t an easy task. However, considering the Wild's impressive road record at 14-3-3, they might have a slight edge heading into this matchup. The Hurricanes, accustomed to dominating at home (14-4-0), won’t let them have it easy. While the betting odds favor Carolina, it won’t be a surprise if the Wild’s cohesive play wins the day. So, what do you think? Will the Wild skate away with another victory under their belt? Time will tell who truly harnesses the elements in this gripping clash.

Carolina Hurricanes

Minnesota Wild

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