Avalanche vs. Wild Prediction & Best Bets for April 29: Teams Aiming to Stay Healthy Before Playoffs Begin

The top two teams in the Central division will clash on Friday night to close out their regular season schedule. The Colorado Avalanche clinched the division and #1 seed in the Central awhile back. The Minnesota Wild just clinched the #2 seed last night with their victory over the Calgary Flames.

The Avalanche have bested the Wild in 2 out of 3 matchups this season. Neither team has been able to score over 4 goals in those contests, and the road team has always prevailed.

The focus for both teams entering Friday will be simple: stay healthy and avoid unnecessary injury or suspension.

Colorado saw their chances at winning the Presidents' Trophy fly out the window with a 5-4 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

Neither team has anything to gain or lose in the game, but this rivalry will still provide entertainment for the fans visiting Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota.

Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Colorado Avalanche (56-18-7) vs Minnesota Wild (52-22-7)
• Venue: Xcel Energy Center (St. Paul, MN)
• Date: Friday, April 29, 2022
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Avalanche vs Wild: ESPN+ (subscription)

Flames vs Wild Betting Odds

Odds are via our top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks.

BetOnline

• Spread: Avalanche +1.5 (-275), Wild -1.5 (+220)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100), Under 6.5 (-122)
• Moneyline: Avalanche -104, Wild -115

Bovada Sportsbook

• Spread: Avalanche +1.5 (-250), Wild -1.5 (+205)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105), Under 6.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Avalanche +100, Wild -120

BetUS

• Spread: Avalanche +1.5 (-250), Wild -1.5 (+205)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100), Under 6.5 (-120)
• Moneyline: Avalanche -106, Wild -110

Avalanche Look to Rebound and Stay Healthy

Both teams are playing for the second straight day against a tough Western Conference opponent. The Avalanche may have the upper hand though, as they have defeated 18 of their last 19 opponents coming off of a back-to-back.

Minnesota starting netminder, Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to get the nod tonight for their home finale. Colorado backup goalie Pavel Francouz is the expected starter on the other end of the ice.

Colorado is in good shape with their backup in tonight. He has a record of 15-4-1 and has a goals against average of 2.52. He has also recorded two shutouts in his time with the club this season.

Minnesota will counter with a solid offensive attack that is scoring nearly 4 goals per game. However, I do not believe 4 goals will go in for either side tonight.

Both teams are tired after making it to overtime last night. Colorado had to hop on a plane right after the game and make their way north while Minnesota was celebrating their ability to lock up home ice advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs.

I do not expect a high scoring game tonight. Instead, I would bet on the under, as both teams have no more ground to gain and only pride to play for. It will be a close game but the Avalanche look to have the advantage as they are the stronger of the two teams on paper.

Avalanche vs Wild Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Avalanche 3 Wild 2

Best Bets: Avalanche on the Moneyline (+100 on Bovada Sportsbook and -104 on BetOnline Sportsbook) and Under 6.5 total goals (-115 on Bovada Sportsbook and -120 on BetUS)

With both teams not getting a day to rest, and 2 of the 3 previous games hitting the under, I would expect this to be the case again. The Avalanche are the better team statistically, and it is hard to bet against them when there is nothing left to play for on both sides.