Boston vs Minnesota Frozen Four Odds, Predictions & How to Watch
- A berth in the national championship game is at stake on Thursday afternoon
- Top-seeded Minnesota battles unseeded Boston University as strong betting favorites
- Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Thursday’s Frozen Four matchup at Amalie Arena
The Minnesota Golden Gophers look to punch their ticket to the national championship game for the first time in nine years when they take on the Boston University Terriers on Thursday in NCAA Frozen Four action.
The top-seeded Gophers earned their berth in the Final Four with a decisive 4-1 win over St. Cloud State in Fargo Regional action, and have now claimed victory in seven of their past eight contests. With the defending national champion Denver Pioneers getting upset in the opening round, the unseeded Terriers blazed their trail back to the Frozen Four with a narrow 2-1 win over offensively-challenged Cornell, extending their current overall win streak to nine games.
Start time is set for 5:00 pm ET at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, with all the action televised on ESPN2.
Boston vs Minnesota Odds
| Game Time (ET) | Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 6th | Boston University Terriers | +1.5 (-160) | O 6.5 (-115) | +150 |
| 5:00 PM | Minnesota Golden Gophers | -1.5 (+130) | U 6.5 (-115) | -185 |
The Gophers have emerged as steady -185 favorites to advance to the national championship game with a win on Thursday, while the Terriers lag as +150 underdogs. The total is pegged at 6.5, and Boston sports short -160 odds in puckline betting to stay within one goal of Minnesota in this contest.
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Odds from DraftKings on April 4, 2023
Boston vs Minnesota Recent History
Thursday afternoon’s matchup marks the first meeting between these teams in NCAA Tournament action since 2012, and their first clash at the Frozen Four since 1995. The Terriers claimed a 7-3 victory in that national semi-final clash, on their way to a national championship title win.
Overall, Boston holds a 3-2 edge in five all-time Frozen Four clashes with Minnesota, and it is important to note that the team that has won in previous Frozen Four matchups has eventually gone on to claim the national championship.
Boston Terriers Betting Outlook
The Terriers maintained their recent steady play in last week’s 2-1 win over Cornell that lifted them into the Final Four. The Terriers limited Cornell to just 14 shots on goal while building over their impressive 5-1 win over Western Michigan in their tournament opener.
Pegged as a distant +1200 bet in the opening NCAA hockey tournament odds, the Terriers have limited opponents to just 15 total goals during their current 9-0 run, including shutout victories in two of their final three regular-season contests.
DREW. COMMESSO.
Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/MTCrONiVwa@hockey_east | @espn #SCTop10 | @NESN pic.twitter.com/Zu3n5wsmaz
— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) March 17, 2023
Drew Commesso has been stellar between the pipes during Boston’s current surge. The talented junior has surrendered just a single goal in three of four outings, a run that started with a sensational 37-save performance in a 2-1 overtime win over Providence in the Hockey East tournament semi-final.
Up front, Lane Hutson led the way offensively during the regular season, but the Montreal Canadiens prospect has scored just once at this year’s tourney. Senior Wilmer Skoog has found the back of the net in each of the first two games of the tourney, and scored five times over his past six outings.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Outlook
While goals have come by committee and at somewhat of a premium for the Terriers, Minnesota shooters have filled the net during their bid to win their first national championship since 2003. The club established their dominance early in last week’s 4-1 win over St. Cloud State, which came on the heels of a 9-2 rout of Canisius in their tournament opener.
20 goals on the season for Logan Cooley. 2-1 Minnesota #Yotes pic.twitter.com/MmxNfD4DMT
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) March 25, 2023
Arizona Coyotes prospect Logan Cooley has demonstrated why he was selected third overall in last year’s NHL Draft while racking up a goal and four helpers over the first two games of the tourney, and has racked up nine goals and 30 points during the 15-game points streak that he brings into Thursday’s contest.
However, things have not gone so well for Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect Matthew Knies, who has been held pointless so far at this tournament after recording 10 points in his previous six games.
Boston vs Minnesota Prediction
Thursday afternoon’s matchup is shaping up to be a classic battle between a high-powered offense and a stingy defense, with a shot at the national title on the line.
Commesso has enjoyed plenty of support from the skaters in front of him while backstopping the team to nine straight wins, and presents a huge challenge for Minnesota’s talented snipers. However, with offense coming at a premium for the Cinderella Terriers, it’s tough to expect Boston to keep pace on the scoreboard in this contest.
The Pick: Minnesota -1.5 (+130); UNDER 6.5 (-115)
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Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
