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Claude Giroux. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHL betting: Senators vs. Wild odds, preview, prediction for Tuesday 4/2

Originally posted on Action Network | By Greg Liodice | Last updated 4/2/24

Here's everything you need to know about the Ottawa Senators vs. Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, April 2 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.

In typical Senators fashion, they’re getting hot when it’s too late. Ottawa has come out on top in its past five games, most recently in a battle with Winnipeg. It’s not fully eliminated from playoff contention, but the Senators will need a lot of stars to align considering they’re 12 points out.

Minnesota’s still in the midst of its playoff race, but it’s looking awfully bleak. Coach Jon Hynes made a risk in his team's game against Vegas, by losing in overtime but pulling the goalie to get the man advantage. Because the Wild lost in that fashion, they forfeit their point, which hurt their playoff hopes.

Let's dive into our Senators vs. Wild preview and pick.

Senators vs. Wild Odds

Tuesday, April 2, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Senators Odds	+122
Wild Odds	-146
Over / Under	6.5 -108o / -112u

Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute NHL odds here.

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa has some of the best young talent in the league. Tim Stützle is averaging slightly under a point per game and captain Brady Tkachuk has eight points in five games. Along with that, Drake Batherson has been pretty consistent all season and Claude Giroux provides a very stabilizing veteran presence.

For the most part, the Senators’ 5-on-5 offensive play is decently strong. Over the past two weeks, they’ve ranked 15th in expected goals with a 51.05 xGF%, but are 19th defensively with a 3.2 xGA/60.

What has been eye popping is the discrepancy in Ottawa’s special teams. It scores on the power play at a 24% clip, but the penalty kill is dreadful at 70% over the past 10 games.

I expect Joonas Korpisalo to start tonight, as he’s been the go-to guy all season. Korpisalo has had a very inconsistent season, but is in the middle of a strong stretch with a .923 SV%. However, he is one of the worst in the league in goals saved above expected this season with a -14.7 GSAx.

Minnesota Wild

Minnesota’s top guys are showing up to play. Kirill Kaprizov is averaging well above a point per game and Matt Boldy has six points in his last four games. Not only that, Joel Eriksson Ek has already set a career high in goals with 30, while rookie Marco Rossi has impressed with 20 goals.

What’s been huge for the Wild is that their 5-on-5 play is on fire. Since March 16, they’re ranked fourth with a 57.33 xGF% while ranking third defensively with 2.53 xGA/60.

In the past 10 games, Minnesota’s special teams have been mediocre. It scores on the power play at a 16.7% clip and succeed on the penalty kill 78% of the time.

Both Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury have split starts for the season, but it looks like Gustavsson is running away with the job. After a slow start, he’s playing like the goalie Minnesota envisioned when it signed him to a contract extension, playing to a .957 SV% in his past five starts.

Senators vs. Wild

Betting Pick & Prediction

At the start of the season, I thought the Wild were going to be a legitimate contender. However, after a coaching change and some mediocrity, those sentiments obviously changed.

Despite its incredible 5-on-5 numbers, Minnesota has a real problem sealing the deal. It’s lost three out of its last four, and two of them have been losses at home.

Ottawa is in a different scenario. It’s playing with nothing to lose and has won its last three on the road. By no means are the Senators a good road team, as their record is 13-20-2, but so far the trends are pointing in their favor.

Even though I’m riding a bit of a cold streak on my picks, I think Ottawa has a good chance to pull this off.