Minnesota Wild vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction 2-9-24 Picks

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play the Minnesota Wild on Friday night at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Pittsburgh has won two games in a row, while Minnesota has lost two of their last three. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Penguins vs Wild prediction.

Penguins Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 23-17-7 this year after they defeated the Jets by a score of 3-0 in their last game. Pittsburgh scored once in the first period and twice in the second period for the shutout win. The Penguins out shot Winnipeg by a total of 27-23 and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh defeated Montreal by a score of 3-2 in the game prior to Winnipeg, but they lost the previous three games. The Penguins are scoring 2.96 goals per game and they are allowing 2.64 goals against per game, while going 14.1% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 27 goals, 24 assists, and 169 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Tristan Jarry, who is 14-14-4 this year with a 2.45 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. 

Wild Preview

The Minnesota Wild are 22-23-5 this season after they defeated Chicago by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Minnesota was tied at one after the second period, but they were able to score the only goal in the third for the win. The Wild out shot Chicago by a total of 25-21 and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Minnesota lost to Anaheim by a score of 3-2 and Nashville by a score of 3-2 in the two games prior to Chicago. The Wild are scoring 2.96 goals per game and they are allowing 3.30 goals against per game, while going 20.5% on the power play and 73.8% on the penalty kill. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 19 goals, 26 assists, and 140 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Marc-Andre Fleury, who is 8-9-3 this season with a 2.95 goals against average and a .897 save percentage. 

Minnesota Wild Team Facts

• The underdogs have won four of the last five games between the Penguins and Wild at Xcel Energy Center.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games at Xcel Energy Center against opponents on a winning streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last 10 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The underdogs have won the second period in each of the last four games between the Penguins and Wild at Xcel Energy Center.

Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts

• The Penguins have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a win.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last four games at Xcel Energy Center.
• The Penguins have won the first period in seven of their last eight games against the Wild.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Penguins’ last four games against opponents on a losing streak.

Penguins vs Wild Betting Prediction

The Penguins come into this game on a two game winning streak, but they are only 10-9-4 on the road this season. Pittsburgh is only allowing 2.64 goals against per game and they just shutout the Jets in their last contest. Minnesota has lost two of their last three games and they are 12-11-3 at home this season. The Wild have only scored six goals in their last three games, which is a concern against this Pittsburgh defense. Pittsburgh is 0-3 in their last three road games and while I do like their defensive style of play, I think Minnesota is the play here. The Wild did get a win in their last game and I don’t love how Pittsburgh has played on the road recently. Take Minnesota here.