Minnesota Wild vs Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Picks & Prediction

The Pittsburgh Penguins (13-13-3), seventh in the NHL standings for the Metropolitan Division, hope to get back on a track after an embarrassing 7-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Pittsburgh hosts the Minnesota Wild (12-12-4), seventh in the Central Division, in one of five NHL matchups on the NHL schedule today. It’s the first meeting between the two teams this season.

Marc-Andre Fleury (3.29 GAA, .886 save percentage) is expected to get the start against his former team for the Wild, while Tristan Jarry (2.61 GAA, .913 save percentage) is the projected starter for the Pittsburgh Penguins game. Let’s take a closer look at some potential Wild vs Penguins betting picks.

Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds

Wild vs. Penguins Information

Minnesota Wild vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Location of the game: PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Date & Time: Monday, December 18. 7:00 p.m. ET.

How to Watch: ESPN+

Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Analysis

Minnesota Wild Performance Recap and Analysis

The Minnesota Wild scores have been fairly positive as of late as the team is 7-3-0 in its last 10 games and have won three in a row, allowing just three goals in those games. They’ve improved to T17th in NHL stats for goals allowed (3.18) during that time. They’re 22nd in goals per game (2.96). Minnesota is 5-8-2 on the road.

Mats Zuccarello leads the team in NHL player stats with 28 points (6 goals, 22 assists) and Kirill Kaprizov is second with 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists). Matt Boldy, who has 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists), has six goals in his last seven games and is among the NHL picks today to find the scoresheet for an anytime goal against the Pens.

Key Injuries

• Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon are on the NHL injury report for the Wild.
• Spurgeon was a game-time decision against the Canucks on Saturday so he could be in line to play in the Wild vs Penguins betting picks.

Betting Trends to Know

• Minnesota is 14-12 against the spread (ATS), including 9-5 on the road.
• Their over-under record is 13-12-1, including 7-6-1 on the road.
• They have lost eight of their last nine games against the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins Performance Recap and Analysis

Pittsburgh’s offense has been sputtering as of late as they were shutout against the Maple Leafs and are now 25th in goals (2.83), despite being fifth in shots (33.3). That leaves them with the second-worst shooting percentage in the league (8.5) – they had 39 shots against the Maple Leafs, few of which were high-danger opportunities. Pittsburgh is ninth in goals allowed (2.76). They’re 6-6-1 at home.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have scored just 10 goals in their last six games and are 4-3-3 in their last 10 games. Jake Guentzel leads the team in NHL player stats with 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists). Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are second and third with 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists) and 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists), respectively.

Key Injuries

• Pittsburgh is without forwards Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, Matt Nieto, and Noel Acciari.

Betting Trends to Know

• Pittsburgh has won eight of nine against the Minnesota Wild and are 12-17 ATS, including 6-7 at home.
• Their over-under record is 11-18, including 5-8 at home.

Wild vs. Penguins Betting Picks

• Moneyline: The Penguins should win this one. They were embarrassed on Saturday night against the Maple Leafs and will be ready to start against the Wild.
• Puck Line: Minnesota has been playing well as of late and half of their last 10 games against the Penguins have been decided by one goal, so the Wild +1.5 puck line is the best bet.
• Over/Under: Fleury has allowed at least four goals in three of his last four games against the Penguins, so the over is preferred for NHL picks.

Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction

• NHL Prediction: Penguins 4-3

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