Florida lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to Vegas but it took a lot out of the team and they will be starting the season without two of their best defensemen in Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad. Florida also lost Duclair and Gudas in free agency. Florida added Oliver Ekman-Larsson who was dreadful defensively for Vancouver and is not the player he use to be.

Minnesota is off yet another first round exit and have a get to work attitude during this preseason. Minnesota is rested and healthy and ready to go opening their season at home.

Florida has won the last 5 meetings between the two teams but that ends here in the first game of the season. Florida is still banged up from last years playoff series and will be a team I look to fade early on in the season.

Pick: Minnesota Wild ML