The Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Friday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. Here’s a Penguins vs Wild Prediction. This article will include a Penguins vs Wild Pick.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild beat the Golden Knights and Hurricanes, and they play the Jets next. The Wild have won 3 straight games.
The Minnesota Wild are averaging 2.76 goals per game and are scoring 25.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Kaprizov leads Minnesota with 11 goals, Matt Boldy has 11 assists and Joel Eriksson Ek has 65 shots on goal. Defensively, the Minnesota Wild are allowing 3.05 goals per game and are killing 72.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Filip Gustavsson has allowed 42 goals on 409 shots faced, and Jesper Wallstedt has given up 16 goals on 216 shots.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Kings, split with the Predators, and they play the Kraken next. The Penguins have lost 5 of their last 7 games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.26 goals per game and are scoring 34.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 12 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 18 assists, and Bryan Rust has 40 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.47 goals per game and are killing 85.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 25 goals on 303 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 18 goals on 202 shots.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Wild have lost each of their last seven road games following a win.
- The Penguins have won each of their last four night games at PPG Paints Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven road games following a win.
- The Penguins have won the second period in each of their last five games against Western Conference opponents when tied after the first period.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Penguins have lost each of their last four games following a win.
- The Wild have won five of their last six games.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine road games following a shootout loss.
- The Wild have won the second period in each of their last four games when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Wild’s last eight road games following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Penguins’ last four games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Penguins’ last eight games at PPG Paints Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last five games following an overtime win.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Anthony Mantha has scored a goal in each of the Penguins’ last five games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last five games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins’ last six games against Central Division opponents.
- Kris Letang has recorded two assists against the Wild this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Boldy has scored a goal in four of the Wild’s last five games.
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one assist in four of his last five appearances against the Penguins.
- Matthew Boldy has recorded at least one point in each of the Wild’s last five games.
- Matthew Boldy has recorded two hits against the Penguins this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 1st in the league in power play percentage this season (34.09%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.47).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 5th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.64%).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 28th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (72.92%).
Penguins vs Wild Prediction
The Wild have put together a strong couple of weeks and are worth a look here. The problem is we’re not getting enough bang for our buck in this pick em spot. I’d need plus money to side with the Wild. The Penguins have earned points in 7 of their last 10 games, and they’ve won 7 of the last 10 games against the Wild. One of those wins was three weeks ago on the road. The Penguins have outscored the Wild 7-2 in the last two meetings. The Wild have seen four of their seven losses come on the road. Pick ’em price, I have to roll with the Penguins at home.