In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Wild prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, March 24th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 43-21-5 this season after they lost to the Flames in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Tampa Bay cut the deficit from 3-1 to 3-3 in the third period, but they lost just 26 seconds into overtime. The Lightning out shot Calgary by a total of 35-29, won 46.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Holmberg, McDonagh, and Raddysh, while Johansson stopped 25 out of 29 shots, which was an .862 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Oilers by a score of 5-2 and the Canucks by a score of 6-2. The Lightning have won three of their last four games and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 91 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.58 goals per game and they have allowed 2.75 goals against per game, while also going 22.0% on the power play and 82.3% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 40 goals and 79 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 31 goals and 41 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 33-12-3 with a 2.29 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 40-19-12 this year after they defeated the Stars in overtime by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Minnesota tied the game at one in the second period and they played great defense the rest of the way, before winning in overtime. The Wild were out shot by a total of 30-28, won 38.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Brink and Tarasenko, while Gustavsson stopped 29 out of 30 shots, which was a .967 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Minnesota lost to the Blackhawks by a score of 2-1, but did beat the Blackhawks by a score of 4-3 before that. The Wild have lost four of their last six games and they are currently third in the Central standings with 92 points. Minnesota has scored 3.23 goals per game and they have allowed 2.78 goals against per game, while also going 24.6% on the power play and 79.6% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 38 goals and 42 assists, while Matt Boldy has added 38 goals and 37 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 26-11-6 with a 2.48 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this year.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win
- The Lightning have won each of their last five home games against Central Division opponents.
- The Wild have lost four of their last five games following a win.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five night games.
- The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games against Central Division opponents.
- The Lightning have won the third period in each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents when leading after the second period.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Wild have won each of their last six games as underdogs after coming off overtime.
- The Lightning have lost three of their last four games as home favorites.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games as underdogs after coming off overtime.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five night games after coming off overtime.
- The road team has won the third period in each of the Lightning’s last five games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Wild’s last seven road games after coming off overtime have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Lightning’s last six home games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last six games after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last eight road games against the Lightning.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Anthony Cirelli has scored a goal in four of the Lightning’s last five home games against Central Division opponents.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Lightning’s last 10 Tuesday home games.
- Nikita Kucherov ranks 1st in the league for Points (119) this season.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored the last goal in each of the Wild’s last three games against the Lightning.
- Joel Eriksson Ek has scored a goal in each of the Wild’s last five road games against the Lightning.
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last 10 road appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Quinn Hughes ranks 1st in the league for average time on ice (27:44) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 2nd in the league for goals per game this season (3.58).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of only two teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
- The Minnesota Wild rank T4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.77).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.57%).
Lightning vs Wild Prediction
Tampa Bay comes into this matchup after winning three of their last four games, but they are chasing the Sabres in the Atlantic division. The Lightning are 20-12-0 at home this year, while the Wild are 20-9-4 on the road. Minnesota has won two of their last three games, including a very nice win over Dallas in their last game. Both of these teams are very good, but Minnesota has scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five games. Take Tampa Bay -1.5 here.