Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today, we are looking at the Minnesota Wild vs. Tampa Bay Lightning in this round of NHL Predictions. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Minnesota Wild vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Time: 7:00 p.m Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun, Fan Duel Sports Network North, Fan Duel Sports Network Wisconsin, ESPN+
The Minnesota Wild (4-0-2) visit the Tampa Bay Lightning ( 4-2-0) for the only time this season fresh off a convincing 5-1 victory over the defending champion Florida Panthers on Tuesday. This will be the Wilds fifth game of their season-long seven-game road trip. They are coming in hot going 3-0-1 on the trip so far, winning their last three games.
Tampa Bay returns home after responding to a disappointing showing in Toronto by thumping New Jersey 8-5 on the second night of a back-to-back Tuesday. They will look to continue their high-scoring ways after scoring four or more goals in five of their first six games.
Minnesota Looking to Extend Season Opening Point Streak
The Wild are on their second season opening six-game point streak in franchise history after opening the 2008-09 season 5-0-1. They have been fueled by a resurgent Filip Gustavsson and a power play that is clicking at 33.3%. The top players on the Wild have all started the season strong. Each of Kaprizov, Boldy, Eriksson Ek, and Zuccarello picked up two points in the game against Florida. They will look to continue their prolific scoring start in Tampa Bay.
The focus in this game for the Wild will be to continue limiting penalties. The high-octane Tampa Bay power play is starting to break out so building off the Florida game where Minnesota didn’t take a single penalty will be paramount. Another key to watch is how the Wild respond if they don’t score first. Each game this season they have been the front-runner, scoring first in all six games and never trailing at any moment. How will their game change if they have to chase the scoreboard?
Tampa Bay Trying to Stay Undefeated on Home Ice
Coming off a 1-2-0 road trip the Lightning will look to continue their hot home start against a Wild team that has surprised some with their start. Tampa on the other hand is right where most expected them to be before the season started. They are right in the mix at the top of the early Atlantic standings.
There are two trends to watch for Tampa Bay. The first involves their star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. He is off to a slow start by his standards. He has lost his last two and was pulled against the Maple Leafs after allowing four goals on fourteen shots. Even with three wins in five games his GAA (3.14) and SV% (.878) are way worse than career norms. The Lightning are hoping he will return to form soon. Luckily for Vasilevskiy and the entire Lightning team, the offence has been carrying them to start. Scoring goals in bunches has glossed over some of the issues they have in other areas. However, their star players will be in tough against a Minnesota team that has only allowed twelve goals all season.
Prediction
This will be a good early test for two teams who have playoff aspirations. Both teams are built in similar ways. Each relying on skilled players at the top of the lineup to produce and their goalie to keep them in it. It could be argued that the Wild are a deeper team upfront with Tampa having a deeper defence. This game likely comes down to special teams and goaltending. If Gustavsson can outplay Vasilevskiy, then the Wild have a great chance. But, on home ice, the Lightnings top players should see favourable matchups all night making it tough for the Wild to continue staying out of the penalty box, and giving the Lightning power play a few opportunities.
Prediction: Lightning win 4-2
Prop Bets of the Night
Brandon Hagel is coming off a hat trick against the Devils. Look for him to stay hot while playing on the top power play unit. A parlay with him as an anytime goal scorer and the Tampa Bay Lightning winning has odds of +360 on FanDuel Sportsbook. Tampa Bay to win 4-2 is at +2000.
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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