Can the Minnesota Wild win the Stanley Cup?? I might be slightly biased, but I think so. The Wild are 24-10-3, sitting in 11th place in the NHL with 51 points. Coming off of a mediocre 4-4 record in December, Minnesota is getting healthy at the right time and they’re rolling to start 2022.
Saturday was Hockey Day Minnesota, and the Wild didn’t disappoint for the sold out crowd at the Xcel Energy Center. They did what they’ve been doing all season, and that’s finding a way to win hockey games. With just over 3 minutes left in the third, Evason pulled Kahkonen for the extra skater. Just seconds later, Kevin Fiala found the back of the net for Minnesota to tie the game back up. The game went to OT and the Wild once again got the job done. Through just 37 games, the Wild have scored 12 goals with an empty net. THAT’S INSANE. Coming with no surprise, they lead the league in minutes played with an empty net and it’s really not even close. Vegas comes in second, more than 20 minutes behind Minnesota. Credit to coach Dean Evason, his strategy of pulling the goalie early and often is clearly working.
After missing a few games from a cheap shot by Boston’s Trent Frederic, Kirill “The Thrill” Kaprizov is back. Anytime a team loses their star player for any period of time, you can expect them to drop a few games. Luckily for Minnesota, Kaprizov only missed one game (and the Wild got the W). In the four games since, Kaprizov has 7 points and the Wild are 3-1. When healthy, Kaprizov is one of the most electric players in the league and it’s must watch hockey when he’s on the ice. Going back to last season, Kaprizov has clearly been the spark this team has been missing. Although Minnesota had another early exit from the playoffs in 2021, the potential with this team and this 2022 season so far is more than enough to get us Minnesotan’s fired up.
As of Friday, January 21st, the Minnesota Wild were +2,000 odds to win the Stanley Cup according to oddsshark.com. I’ll say it again, a $100 bet on the Wild to win the cup would return you $2,000. In my opinion, Vegas is clearly doubting this team. I’ve been saying it since October, THE WILD ARE WAGONS!! I can already see it so clearly, Kirill kissing that cup on the top of the bus as the team parades through downtown St. Paul.
I locked in a 2 unit futures bet on the Wild to win the cup weeks ago, but after writing this blog I’m juiced up. I’m doubling down and I’m encouraging you to Tail the Loon. We’ll meet at the bank in late June and you can thank me then.
-Beast
loonstatesports.com 