Avalanche vs. Wild Prediction and Odds (Wild Win Low-Scoring Affair)

As the NHL regular season draws to a close, we've got one more Central Division battle as the 51-22-7 Minnesota Wild host the 56-18-6 Colorado Avalanche tonight at 8:00 PM EST.

Colorado has been locked into their playoff position for a while now and their performance has waned, as they've lost five of six and are limping a bit heading to the postseason.

The opposite is true for the Wild, who have been on fire. Minnesota has won eight of their previous 10 games behind excellent offensive play, and they'll hope to maintain that momentum tonight.

These teams have played three times already this season, with the Avalanche picking up a pair of wins and the Wild notching a victory in the most recent contest.

Can Colorado earn a win to close the year or will Minnesota stay hot? Here are the odds from WynnBET to help find some value ahead of this final Avalanche vs Wild regular season matchup:

Avalanche vs Wild Odds, Spread and Total

Puck Line

• Avalanche -1.5 (+190)
• Wild +1.5 (-230)

Moneyline:

• Avalanche: -115
• Wild: -105

Total:

• 6.5 (Over -105/Under -115)

Avalanche vs Wild Prediction and Pick

Both teams are playing their third game in four days, so we can expect some tired legs. But the motivational factor presents the biggest edge, in my opinion. Colorado is locked into their playoff positioning, but Minnesota still needs a point to fend off the charging Blues.

All the Wild need is one point to secure second place in the Central Division, so even an overtime game is fine for their cause. I think they'll lock in defensively to ensure the game stays close, and I love the value on both Minnesota and the under as a result.

Defensemen Jared Spurgeon and Matt Dumba will return from injury for the Wild tonight and they'll provide a boost against an explosive, albeit struggling, Colorado offense. With how the Avalanche have been playing and their lack of motivation, I'm honestly shocked Minnesota isn't a sizeable favorite here.

The Wild are 13-2 in their last 15 home matchups while Colorado has lost three straight on the road. I expect both of those trends to continue in a low-scoring matchup as Minnesota locks in to ensure at least one point.

Pick: Wild (-105) and Under 6.5 (-115)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.