Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Minnesota Wild Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Pittsburgh Penguins face the Minnesota Wild with both teams looking to improve on rocky seasons. The Penguins have a 23-17-7 record and are in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division but have won back-to-back games. The Wild have a 22-23-5 record and with only five wins in their last 10 games, they have the second-worst record in the Central Division. Both teams look to rebound in their divisions and the upcoming game looks to be a good one.
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Penguins are led by great defense
The Penguins are having a rocky season with their offense letting them down, scoring only 2.96 goals per game. Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Evgeni Malkin have scored 65 goals and 76 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five skaters have nine goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 7, 2024
The offense has struggled but the defense has stepped up, allowing only 2.64 goals per game with only two goals in the last two games. Marcus Pettersson and Kris Letang have combined for 7.5 defensive point shares and 161 blocked shots while Erik Karlsson and Ryan Graves have combined for 5.9 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Tristan Jarry has stepped up with a .916 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average on 876 shots with 10.2 goals saved above average.
Wild have been let down by offense lately
The Wild are having a rough season with thier offense unraveling, scoring only 2.96 goals per game with only six goals in the last three games. Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, and Joel Eriksson Ek have scored 48 goals and 75 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only six skaters have nine goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
One more look comin right up ���� #mnwildpic.twitter.com/T3SNRqxtI7
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 8, 2024
The offense has struggled but the defense has let the Wild down, allowing 3.30 goals per game. Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin have combined for 4.8 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. Additionally, goaltender Filip Gustavsson has struggled with a .897 save percentage and a 3.19 goals-against average on 866 shots with -5.7 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Penguins have won two games in a row and they look to control this one from the first period. The Penguins should constantly find the back of the net against the Wild, who allow 3.30 goals per game, with Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Penguins, who only allow 2.64 goals per game, should limit the Wild offense, which averages only 2.96 goals per game, with Marcus Pettersson, Erik Karlsson, 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 Penguins should win the game with a strong performance on the road.
Take the Penguins money line as road Favorites.
Prediction: Penguins (-115)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both offenses have struggled and the two defenses look to step up and take over this game from the first period. The Wild should limit the Penguins offense, which averages only 2.96 goals per game, with Brock Faber, Jonas Brodin, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Filip Gustavsson to make plenty of big saves. The Penguins, who have only allowed two goals in their last two games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Wild, who have only scored six goals in their last three games, with Marcus Pettersson, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Tristan Jarry 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.
