Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, the team here at Last Word on Hockey will dive deep into analysis for any game to give you the scoop on what elements can change the outcome. Today, we’re examining the contest between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Minnesota Wild. Be sure to keep an eye on our other NHL Predictions as the season presses on.
NHL Prediction
Carolina Hurricanes vs Minnesota Wild
Head-to-head: Wild 1-0 Hurricanes
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+; HULU
The last time these two matched up in Raleigh, the Wild showed no mercy with a 4-0 beat down. They did so without star forward Kirill Kaprizov as well. And due to injury, he will miss this one too. But now Carolina will be looking to return the favour with some new faces as well since the last time these two met.
The Hurricanes Story
Carolina is on a two-game losing streak coming into this one and is looking to get some rhythm. Their last 3-0 loss to the league-leading Winnipeg Jets saw the Hurricanes give up two power play goals while failing to score a single goal of their own. Well, they did score one but it was called back due to goaltender interference. With the arrivals of Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall, and illness passing through the lineup lately, the team seems to be trying to settle in to get back to playing decent hockey.
The top line of Rantanen, Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake have been creating tons of chances but have had trouble converting. Likewise, the power play has been ice-cold in 2025. If they want to have some success here, they ideally need both to start producing. The second line has seen Hall with Andrei Svechnikov and Jesperi Kotkaniemi but it will be interesting to see how Rod Brind’Amour might decide to run the lines in this one. Pyotr Kochetkov started the last game so expect to see Frederik Andersen in net for this one.
The Wild Story
Like the Hurricanes, the Wild enter this one on a two-game losing streak. Also like the Hurricanes, their last game was a 3-0 defeat to the Boston Bruins. And again, like the Hurricanes, the Wild have been struggling a bit on the power play. But unlike the Hurricanes, their penalty kill has struggled this season. Holding a 70.8% penalty kill effectiveness, the Wild rank near the very bottom of the league in that category.
Even with the missed time, Kaprizov still leads the team in points with 52 and goals with 23. However, both Marco Rossi and Matt Boldy have put in 18 goals each to add to the Wilds goal goal-scoring. In addition, the Wild just picked up Vinnie Hinostroza off waivers from the Nashville Predators. He likely helps fill a spot left by the suspension of Ryan Hartman. Marc-Andre Fleury took the last start in net so expect to see Filip Gustavsson between the pipes. As always though, be sure to check game day lineups.
Prediction
I would say that this one could turn on whose power play can find a way to convert. But it seems like this might be more of a gritty battle between two teams trying to break their losing streaks. One of them will. While Carolina has had streaks of inconsistent play, they have not lost three in a row since the end of November/beginning of December. Whether they maintain that or not is a big question but I’d expect to see some pushback in this one. And especially for the top line.
Prediction: Carolina wins 3-2
Prop Bets of the Night
Looking at prop bets of the night, the moneyline favours Carolina with -166 odds. Meanwhile, I’d take a look at Rantanen for Carolina as an any time goal scorer with +155 odds. He has been knocking on the door, hit a few posts lately, and should looking to finally get one to fall. For the Wild, I would look at Mats Zuccarello as an any time goal scorer with a little bit of a higher risk, higher reward pick. He comes in with +340 odds.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: February 6 Carolina Hurricanes vs Minnesota Wild appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.