Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Vegas Play of the Day: Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks

The South Point-lined Play of the Day hasn’t gone to the ice all season.

The NHL Playoffs finally get their due today in the contest that started with $10,000 bankrolls.

Minnesota Wild plus-120 at Chicago Blackhawks: $350 to win $420

There are several reasons to justify backing Chicago over Minnesota in this game 2. The Blackhawks annually raise their level for the postseason where they’re nearly unbeatable at home, a formula the Wild are all too familiar with after their Central division rival dispatched them the last two years.

But this year, I’m not all that convinced that the Blackhawks are much better than Wild. They only won the opening game of the series after nearly blowing a 4-0 lead. The Wild calmed after a disastrous opening 21 minutes, and scored three unanswered goals in the second period to make the third tense.

It was another reminder that Chicago might be playing the wrong goalie, as entrenched starter Corey Crawford continues to man the net with less effectiveness than Scott Darling.

Minnesota has no such controversy with goalie Devan Dubnyk. After acquiring Dubnyk midseason from the Arizona Coyotes, the Wild beat the Blackhawks in two matchups.

The Wild gave up 14 goals in beating the Blues in six games last round. The Blackhawks also won in six, but gave up 21 goals to a lesser offensive team in the Predators.

Strap in for a long series.

Standings: Bern (77-67-1, $11,562), Keefer (78-74-2, $10,987), Brewer (68-81-3, $2,595)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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