Minnesota Wild - Pittsburgh Penguins predictions and free betting tips [10/02/2024]

The Minnesota Wild will host the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the regular NHL season.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild claimed a crucial victory over Chicago, a 2:1 standout that underscored the team's ambition to improve its standing in the Atlantic Division. Despite the win, coach John Hynes pointed out unnecessary risks taken by his wards, underscoring the need for a more restrained, thoughtful approach. The Wild, currently struggling with playoffs and being 5 points away from the playoff zone, enter a crucial phase of the season. After suffering two consecutive losses, the team's average scoring rate dropped to 2.98, placing them 18th in the league. Despite this, their power play efficiency and away game performance provide a glimmer of hope.

The Wild's defensive strategy is questionable, notably in the penalty kill, where they record one of the lowest performances in the league. Fleury's goaltending, combined with the offensive contributions of key players such as Kirill Kaprizov, who leads the team in points, and the return of injured players, fuel the team’s playoff push. Ahead of the Pittsburgh meeting, the Wild aim to continue their winning stretch, backed by Fleury's experience and strong forwards. Kaprizov has amassed 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists) in 43 games. 

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have shown resilience this season, led by Sidney Crosby who has 51 points in 47 games. Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin have made significant contributions to the team's attack, amassing a total of 65 goals and 76 assists. Goalie Tristan Jarry delivers a solid performance with a .916 save percentage and allowing an average of 2.45 goals per game, proving instrumental in the team's recent successes.

Despite challenges in their offence, averaging 2.96 goals per game, the Penguins manage to stay competitive due to sturdy defence. After a rough series, the Penguins managed to turn the tide, beating Montreal in overtime and Winnipeg, thanks in large part to Jarry's stellar performance, which saw him achieve a shutout, blocking all 23 shots. Recent successes testament to the team’s unity, managing to find ways to win, even in the absence of key players.

Head-to-Head

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won the last four consecutive matches against the Minnesota Wild, dating back to 1 April 2022. The outcomes of the most recent games include: Pittsburgh 4:3 victory on 19 December 2023, 4:1 on 7 April 2023, 6:4 on 8 November 2022, and 4:3 in overtime on 1 April 2022. Prior to this, Minnesota Wild bested the Pittsburgh Penguins in a penalty shootout, ending the game at 5:4 on 7 November 2021.

Match Prediction: Minnesota Wild - Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins, after a disappointing 6 wins from 8 games streak, pulled off two consecutive victories by netting 3 goals each: against Montreal in overtime and Winnipeg in the latest match, thanks to Carter and Rust's power-play goals. Jarri's strong performance resulted in a cutting-edge shutout with 23 saves. Minnesota is gradually closing in on the playoff zone after a dismal start, but not only are they 5 points off, four more teams: Nashville, Calgary, Seattle, and Arizona need to be surpassed to clinch the 8th spot. Pittsburgh is also 5 points away from the 8th position with only Islanders standing in between. Given the current form, I expect a close match with minimum goals, hence the bet is placed on total goals under 6. In the last 12 matches, the Penguins managed to concede more than 3 goals only once.