The Best of the Day preview hits the ice with NHL tips for a clash between last-start winners San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild. 

NHL Tips – San Jose Sharks V Minnesota Wild

14:30 (AEDT) @ SAP Center, San Jose

History: Played 47: Sharks 28 V Wild 19

Last meeting: January 25, 2021: Sharks 5 d Wild 3 at Excel Energy Center

Final thoughts: The Best of the Day preview breaks down an NHL showdown between West Division rivals San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild. Both are in the bottom half of the division – but neither is too far off the pace.

The 8-6-0 Wild returned from a two COVID-19 layoff last week. They went down to LA Kings (4-0) first up, before overwhelming Anaheim Ducks in back-to-back games (3-1 and 5-1).

Kevin Fiala had three goals and an assist across the two victories over the Ducks.

The 7-7-2 Sharks have recorded four wins (two by one-goal margins, two in shootouts), two losses and a pair of overtime losses (one in a shootout) in a frantic February.

After going down to St Louis in OT 3-2, the Sharks turned the tables on the Blues 5-4 two days ago. But they went about it the hard way, blowing a three-goal lead before Logan Couture’s second goal of the match in the third period proved the difference.

The Sharks have won six of their last eight against the Wild. But the teams split their two Saint Paul-hosted clashes in January.

Minnesota won the first encounter 4-1 after Joel Eriksson Ek and Jordan Greenway each had a goal and an assist.

But late goals from Brent Burns and Matt Nieto lifted San Jose to a 5-3 victory two days later.

The Wild have won 13 of their last 18 road games, including a 5-3 record this season. The Sharks have only played twice at SAP Center this season, for a win and a loss.

Minnesota bring considerable momentum into this game look a strong chance of justifying their Best of the Day favourites tag.

Tip: Handicap – Wild -1.5 @ $2.70