The Minnesota Wild (40-19-12) and Tampa Bay Lightning (43-21-5) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Lightning are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (+102o / -118u). The Lightning are a -171 favorite to win outright, while the Wild are +145 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Wild vs. Lightning predictions and NHL picks.
Wild vs. Lightning Odds, Pick
| Wild Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -172 | 6.5 +102o / -118u | +145 |
| Lightning Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +142 | 6.5 +102o / -118u | -171 |
- Wild vs. Lightning Spread: Lightning -1.5 (+142 ), Wild +1.5 (-172)
- Wild vs. Lightning Over/Under: 6.5 (+102o / -118u)
- Wild vs. Lightning Moneyline: Wild +145, Lightning -171
Wild vs. Lightning Preview
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild keep getting closer to clinching a playoff berth.
Barring a historic collapse, it’s going to happen regardless, but Minnesota has positioned itself nicely for success. What it does beyond that is anyone’s guess, as the Wild haven’t had much playoff success in their franchise history.
Luckily, though, the boys are hummin’ playing top-five 5-on-5 hockey down the stretch. They’re ranked fourth in expected goals with a 55.38 xGF% and first defensively with a 2.28 xGA/60.
It’s as well-rounded a team as you can get.
Granted, it’s been hampered by injuries, but the good news is that Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Marcus Foligno are all traveling with the team.
Matt Boldy has transformed into one of the league’s best goal scorers and landing defenseman Quinn Hughes has quite literally been a game changer for this franchise.
But beyond that, Minnesota is so incredibly deep. Acquiring hometown kid Bobby Brink at the deadline has been a home run on the third line, and Vladimir Tarasenko hasn’t lost his goal-scoring touch.
On the goaltending side, the Wild’s tandem of Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt has certainly lost its luster over the past few months, but it seems like they’re getting back to form.
Both share a .913 SV% of the season, but Gustavsson played more recently, so perhaps Wallstedt gets the nod.
Tampa Bay Lightning
According to Connor McDavid, the Lightning are one of the more well-rounded, best-coached teams in the league.
And it’s hard to argue with it.
Tampa has been the beacon of success for as long as anyone can remember, with Nikita Kucherov leading the charge for his fourth Art Ross Trophy.
Not only that, Brayden Point being back in the fold, while lining up next to elite goal scorer Jake Guentzel, is a problem on the second line.
Tampa’s 5-on-5 game has been solid, but it's not where it butters its bread. Goaltending has been the key to its success when the Bolts won two straight Stanley Cups, and it’s the key again.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has helped this team in more ways than it can imagine. Though in his last 10 games, it’s been a bit of a down stretch, Vasy is still one of the leaders of the Vezina Trophy, which would be his second.
Currently, he’s playing to a 21.0 GSAx and a .913 SV%.
Wild vs. Lightning Prediction
There’s a reason why this game is on national TV.
You have two powerhouses from each conference going band-for-band and possibly a Stanley Cup preview? To be determined.
These teams already squared off against each other earlier this month and the Wild ran roughshod on the Bolts, winning 5-1, and I’m curious what Tampa will do to adjust while at home.
Minnesota has been a beauty on the road, going 20-9-4, but with a shorthanded roster, this is a perfect opportunity for the Bolts to come out on top.
Tampa is heavily favored here, and it’s easy to see why. I’ll take it another step and take the Bolts in regulation.
Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning 60 Minute ML (-105)
