Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Minnesota Wild Prediction, NHL Odds
The Wild return home after eking out a 2-1 win in Chicago on Wednesday night, but with just two wins in their past 10 home dates, the Wild remain five points back of the second wild card in the Western Conference. The Penguins hit the road for two game riding a two-game win streak after topping Winnipeg 3-0 on Tuesday night. However, the Pens have lost three straight on the road, and enter the weekend five points out of the Eastern Conference wild card hunt.
Despite their recent road woes, the penguins arrive in Minnesota perched as -130 road favourites on the Friday NHL odds, and as a +185 puckline bet to claim victory by a multi-goal margin. The Wild sit iff the pace as +105 underdogs, and the total is pegged at 6.0.
Penguins vs. Wild NHL Betting Odds
A visit to Minnesota may be just what the Penguins need to snap out of a road funk that has produced just four wins in their past 12 away contests. The Pens have dominated the Wild in recent years, claiming victory in nine of 10 head-to-head clashes since 2017 including four straight victories in Minnesota. And while Pittsburgh has struggled to maintain momentum while winning just five of their past 12 overall, they have been effective at containing opposing shooters while allowing just two total goals during their current 2-0-0 run and just 2.30 goals per game over their past 10 contests, with the UNDER going 8-2 over that stretch
While two goals proved to be enough to get past the hapless Blackhawks on Wednesday night, the Wild’s recent scoring woes are a cause for concern. The club has scored just two goals in each of the past three games, ending an offensive outburst that generated 24 total goals during a preceding 4-1-0 run. Overall, the Wild have scored two or fewer goals seven time while losing eight of 10 home dates, and now rank 20th in the NHL with just 2.88 goals per game at home this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Tristan Jarry deserves enormous credit for his performance during the team’s current two-game win streak. The Penguins goalie has stopped 48 of the 50 shots he has faced over the past two games, and has allowed just three total goals over his past four home appearances. Jarry has compiled a middling .889 save percentage and surrendered 10 total goals during a personal three-game losing streak on the road. However, he has received little support from a sputtering Pens attack. Sidney Crosby has remained productive while recording 10 points during an eight-game points streak. Evgeni Malkin is listed as probable for Friday due to an undisclosed injury. The Russian veteran has generated five points in six games, but has scored just twice in 13 games.
Minnesota Wild
Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to get the call in goal in what is expected to be his last appearance against his former Pittsburgh teammates. Hampered by an upper body injury, Fleury has been idle since leaving midway through the club’s 6-4 victory over Florida on January 15. Overall, Fleury has allowed just two total goals over his past three game appearances including a 5-0 shutout win over the New York Islanders in his last home start. Fleury will have to be sharp on Friday considering the Minnesota attack’s recent struggles. Journeyman forward Vinni Lettieri proved to be the most productive performer while setting up both goals in Tuesday’s win. Kirill Kaprizov has continued to provide the spark on home ice, where he has compiled four goals and 10 points over his past eight games.
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