Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Minnesota Wild face the Pittsburgh Penguins with both teams looking to improve on great seasons. The Wild have a 44-23-10 record and are in a three-way tie for first place in the Central Division. The Penguins have a 38-30-10 record and are only one point out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are looking to improve in the playoff picture and the upcoming game looks to be a great one as a result.
Wild have been led by remarkable defense
The Wild are having a great season but hope their offense improves, scoring only 2.92 goals per game. Mats Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Matt Boldy have scored 75 goals and 112 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only six active skaters have scored 10 goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has been one of the best in the NHL, allowing only 2.64 goals per game with only 12 goals in the last five games. Jared Spurgeon and Jacob Middleton have combined for 10.9 defensive point shares and 319 blocked shots while Mathew Dumba, Jonas Brodin, and Jonathon Merrill have combined for 10.5 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been great with a .910 save percentage and a 2.82 goals-against average on 1316 shots with 7.0 goals saved above average.
Penguins defense has struggled
The Penguins are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.18 goals per game. Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Evgeni Malkin have scored 91 goals and 147 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Jason Zucker have combined for 73 goals and 75 assists while defenseman Kris Letang has added 10 goals and 26 assists from the point to help open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.24 goals per game with 11 goals in the last three games. Brian Dumoulin and Pierre-Oliver Joseph have combined for 5.8 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to carry the puck into the offensive zone and find open shots. The one bright spot has been the play of goaltender Tristan Jarry who has a .908 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average on 1307 shots with 5.2 goals saved above average.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
This is going to be a great game between two of the best teams in the NHL. The Penguins look to step up on their home ice but the Wild look to leap into first place in their division and control this game as a result. The Wild should constantly find the back of the net against the Penguins, who allow 3.24 goals per game, with Mats Zuccarello, Matt Boldy, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Wild, who allow only 2.64 goals per game, should limit the Penguins' offense with Jared Spurgeon, Jacob Middleton, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to make plenty of big saves. The Wild should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Wild money line as road Underdogs.
Prediction: Wild (+105)
While most bettors have already signed up with the DraftKings and FanDuels of the world, sportsbooks like BetFred and SuperBook are offering HUGE bonus offers to attract new bettors in select states. Search your state now.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Wild have a great defense and both defensive units look to step up and control this game from the first period. The Penguins should limit the Wild offense, which averages only 2.92 goals per game, with Brian Dumoulin, Pierre-Oliver Joseph, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Tristan Jarry to make plenty of big saves. The Wild, who have only allowed 12 goals in the last five games, should eliminate the Penguins' offense with Jared Spurgeon, Jacob Middleton, Jonas Brodin, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6 goals.
Prediction: Under 6
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
