• The Florida Panthers (19-11-2) visit the Minnesota Wild (20-7-4) in a battle of top NHL teams on Wednesday
• We’ve made our Panthers vs Wild prediction for Wednesday, December 18, 2024
• Read below for Panthers vs Wild prediction and odds for tonight’s game on TNT

Two of the NHL’s hottest clubs are set to tangle as the Florida Panthers (19-11-2) head to the Xcel Energy Center to take on the Minnesota Wild (20-7-4) on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 PM Eastern Time, with national coverage on TNT.

The Panthers roll into this one as -145 road favorites, while the total sits at 5.5 goals. Can Florida overcome some key injuries to solve Minnesota’s stifling defense and red-hot netminder Filip Gustavsson?

Here is our Panthers vs Wild prediction for Wednesday Night Hockey.

Panthers vs Wild Prediction

I’m rolling with the Wild +125 moneyline in what should be a hard-fought battle between two elite squads. Minnesota has flat-out owned this head-to-head series lately, going 3-0-0 vs Florida since last season while outscoring them 13-5.

The Wild have been rock solid on home ice, posting an 8-5-1 mark at the Xcel Energy Center. They give up the 2nd-fewest goals per game (2.52) thanks to their tight defensive play and the stellar work of Gustavsson (14-5-3, 2.24 GAA, .922 SV%).

While the Wild struggle on special teams, they click at even strength. Stars like Kirill Kaprizov (22 goals, 25 assists) and Matt Boldy (13 goals, 16 assists) lead a balanced attack that should give Florida fits.

YOUR LEAGUE LEADER IN POINTS, KIRILL KAPRIZOV pic.twitter.com/EvnAcEc9Vn

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 4, 2024

The Panthers bring the league’s 5th-best offense (3.50 goals per game) but face injury concerns. Captain Aleksander Barkov is a game-time call with illness, while Sam Bennett is already ruled out. Even if Barkov plays, he likely won’t be at full strength.

With their top two centers either out or compromised, Florida must lean heavily on Sam Reinhart (20 goals, 21 assists) and Matthew Tkachuk (11 goals, 20 assists) against Minnesota’s stifling defense. Add in Sergei Bobrovsky’s recent struggles (.889 SV%), and the Panthers face an uphill battle.

The Panthers are just 2-2-0 on this road trip and have been shut out twice. Meanwhile, the Wild are firing on all cylinders and catch Florida at the perfect time. Back Minnesota to protect home ice and grab a statement win.

Wednesday NHL Pick:

• Wild Moneyline (+125 at ESPN BET)

Panthers vs Wild Odds

Florida comes in as a -145 moneyline favorite, meaning a $145 bet on the Panthers would net you a $100 profit if they get the W. Minnesota sits as a +125 home underdog, offering a potential $125 return on a $100 wager.

The Panthers are +170 to cover the -1.5 puck line, meaning they need to win by two or more goals for that ticket to cash. Meanwhile, the Wild are -215 to stay within 1.5 goals, so Minnesota backers would win $100 on a $215 bet if the Wild either win outright or lose by just one.

The total is locked at 5.5 goals, with the over at -105 and the under priced at -115. This suggests we’re in for a tight-checking, lower-scoring affair.

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Odds courtesy of ESPN Bet as of December 18, 2024.

Panthers vs Wild Projected Starting Goalies

Here’s who we expect between the pipes for Wednesday’s Panthers vs Wild tilt:

Florida Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky (14-6-1, 2.97 GAA, .889 SV%)
Bob is having a down year by his lofty standards, struggling to find his groove. The 37-year-old veteran has been lit up for four or more goals in five of his last 10 starts and sports an ugly sub-.900 save percentage.

That said, Bobrovsky has historically owned the Wild, posting a stellar 13-5-1 mark with a 2.37 GAA and .918 save percentage. He’ll need to channel some of that past magic and stand on his head to give the undermanned Panthers a fighting chance.

Minnesota Wild: Filip Gustavsson (14-5-3, 2.24 GAA, .922 SV%)
Gustavsson has been an absolute brick wall for Minnesota, seizing the starting job with consistently brilliant play. The 26-year-old Swede sits 5th in GAA and 4th in SV% among qualified netminders.

With an impressive 13.7 goals saved above average, Gustavsson has been a steadying force for a Wild team that has watched its usually-reliable penalty kill take a nosedive. He’ll be tasked with shutting down a dangerous Panthers attack that will lean even more heavily on Reinhart and Tkachuk.

Look for Gustavsson to outduel Bobrovsky in this goaltending battle. The Wild are tough to beat in their own barn, and Gustavsson’s stingy numbers, combined with Florida’s key absences, give Minnesota the edge. Back the Wild moneyline.

The post Panthers vs Wild Prediction, Odds & Starting Goalies for Wednesday Night Hockey appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.