Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild Prediction: Wild to put up a fight

Los Angeles and Minnesota have yet to find stability this season. That makes their encounter all the more important. Who will be stronger?

Todd McLellan's team has made a good run, winning 3 of their last 5 games and losing only 1 of them during regular time. Furthermore, during this stretch L.A. defeated their very strong opponents – Toronto, St. Louis and Florida. As a result of such a successful streak, the Kings have already moved into fifth place in the Western Conference standings. Only Vegas, Dallas, Winnipeg and the surprise team from the beginning of the championship, Seattle, are higher.

Dean Evason's team had major defensive problems in the early championship games. Lately, however, Minnesota has shown improvement on defense. Over the previous eight games, only once did the Wild concede more than three goals a game – in their most recent meeting against Seattle (0-4). Overall, we can say that Minnesota is gradually finding game balance and is about to start climbing up the Western Conference standings, where they are only ranked 10th so far.

The rivals have already met this season on the Wild's ice. And then, the Kings won with a score of 7-6. It is unlikely that the upcoming meeting will be as productive. Minnesota noticeably improved their defense in the course of the championship and finished all of their road games via TU. Most likely Kirill Kaprizov and team will not lose in Los Angeles – they need to take revenge on the Kings for their upsetting home loss. They'll do it today.

Betting options:

• H2 (+0.25) for 1.832;
• W2+TU (5.5) for 4.33;
• TU (6.5) for 2.00.

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