In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Lightning vs Minnesota Wild prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, October 24th at Amalie 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 4-2-0 this year after they defeated New Jersey by a score of 8-5 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 2-1 in the second period, but they scored the next five goals to pull away for the win. The Lightning outshot New Jersey by a total of 37-35, won 49.3% of the face-offs, and went 2-2 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Guentzel, Hagel (3), Point, Hedman (2), and Moser, while Johansson stopped 30 out of 35 shots in the game.
Prior to that victory, Tampa Bay lost to Toronto and Ottawa by scores of 5-2 and 5-4. The Lightning have scored 4.33 goals per game and they have allowed 3.33 goals against per game, while also going 20.8% on the power play and 68.2% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with seven goals, five assists, and 29 shots on goal, while Andrei Vasilevskiy is 3-2-0 with a 3.14 goals against average and an .878 save percentage this year.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 4-0-2 this season after they defeated Florida by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Minnesota had their lead cut to 3-1 in the second period, but they scored the last two goals to pull away for the win. The Wild were outshot by a total of 25-22, won 56% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Boldy, Eriksson Ek, Johansson, Rossi, and Zuccarello, while Gustavsson stopped 24 out of 25 shots in the win.
Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated Columbus and St. Louis by scores of 3-1 and 4-1. The Wild have scored 3.33 goals per game and they have allowed 1.83 goals against per game, while also going 33.3% on the power play and 75% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with two goals, eight assists, and 17 shots on goal, while Marc-Andre Fleury is 0-0-1 with a 3.72 goals-against average and a .882 save percentage this year.
Why the Wild will beat the Lightning
- The Lightning have lost each of their last two games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Wild have won four of their last six games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Wild’s last nine games.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last eight games as favorites.
- The Wild have won the first period in eight of their last nine games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Lightning’s last six games at Amalie Arena against opponents on a winning streak has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Wild’s last four road games against Atlantic Division opponents has gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last seven home games against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last seven games at Amalie Arena.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning’s last 17 home games.
- Victor Hedman has recorded at least one assist in each of the Lightning’s last six games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
- Nikita Kucherov has scored at least one goal in five of the Lightning’s last six games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Joel Eriksson Ek has scored a goal in each of the Wild’s last four games at Amalie Arena.
- Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Joel Eriksson Ek has scored the first goal in three of the Wild’s last four games against the Lightning.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank T3rd in the league for goals per game this season (4.33).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (68.18%).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (1.83).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 7th in the league in power play percentage this season (27.78%).
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Minnesota Wild Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup trying to avoid their first regulation loss of the season and they have played very good defense to start this year. The Wild have allowed exactly one goal in three straight games but will face a TB team that is scoring over four goals per game. The Lightning have a strong offense once again this year, but they have allowed five goals in three straight games. Take Minnesota on the road here, as their defense will be the difference.