Minnesota at New York

You need defense to contend on the road and Minnesota is ninth in the NHL in goals allowed. The Wild are 8-3 against a team with a winning record. They are a dog to an inconsistent Rangers team. New York has had some defensive troubles this season, slipping to #14 in goals allowed, #25 in penalty killing. The Rangers have lost two of the last three contests, falling 3-2 at New Jersey on Tuesday in their first game after the break as -135 chalk. The Rangers went 0-for-4 on the power play, giving them a 2-for-39 mark over the past 14 games, and allowed two power-play goals in as many chances. They have injuries to key personnel in star Rick Nash, who will miss a fourth straight game due to a bone bruise on his left leg, and defenseman Kevin Klein suffered a fractured thumb against New Jersey and will be sidelined indefinitely. The Wild defeated the Rangers 5-2 the last time they met, outshooting New York 30-18 over the final two periods and scoring three times in the third. Play Minnesota.