There are only three NHL matchups on the NHL schedule today, and the Tampa Bay Lightning and Minnesota Wild are taking center stage on TNT. The Wild will be playing their first game in four days, while the Lightning will be looking to win their fifth straight game while playing on back-to-back nights.
Before we give our Lightning vs. Wild betting predictions, we’ll review the stats, trends, and odds to help prepare your online sports betting ticket for Wednesday night.
Last Game Records
This is the first of two head-to-head NHL matchups on the Minnesota Wild schedule with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 last night. Pat Maroon, Alex Killorn, Brandon Hagel, and Nicholas Paul scored for the Lightning, while Brian Elliott made 25 saves in the win.
The Wild haven’t played since New Year’s Eve when they defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-2. Ryan Hartman scored twice, with Jared Spurgeon and Jordan Greenway added goals, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves in the win.
Matchup Information
Tampa Bay Lightning (21-11-1) vs. Minnesota Wild (21-13-2)
Location of the game: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Date: Wednesday, January 4th, 2023, 9:30 p.m. ET
How to watch: TNT
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning
We can all be forgiven for looking ahead to the Tampa Bay Lightning next game, especially when the opposition is the Chicago Blackhawks. The Lightning took care of the Blackhawks and are playing on back-to-back nights when they take on the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.
The Lightning enters Wednesday ranked third in the Atlantic Division, having won the last four games in a row. The Lightning has a 24-11-1 record. In the last five games, Tampa Bay has hit the over twice, with four games ending in at least a one-goal spread.
Tampa Bay is ranked third in offensive NHL stats, averaging 3.6 goals per game, while the powerplay is ranked fifth overall, converting at 27.6%. Needless to say, it’s unsurprising to find the Lightning among the top-scoring teams in the league.
Defensively, the Tampa Bay Lightning are ranked 13th overall, averaging 2.8 goals against. Tampa Bay’s penalty kill is very good as well, ranked seventh overall and operating at 82.2% efficiency.
Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning’s familiar cast of characters in NHL player stats with 53 points (13 goals, 40 assists).
Brian Elliot (8-2-0, 3.08 GAA, .900 SV%) started last night against the Blackhawks, meaning Tampa Bay will be starting number one goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy (16-9-1, 2.42 GAA, .921 SV%).
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are in the mix in the Central Division NHL standings, ranked third with a 21-13-2 record. The Wild have alternated wins and losses, winning three of the last five games. In those five games, the Wild have hit the over twice, while all five games have ended in a 1.5-goal spread.
The Wild average 3.1 goals per game and are ranked 18th in the NHL. Minnesota’s powerplay is ranked 14th overall, converting at 23.3%.
Defensively, The Minnesota Wild are ranked 11th, giving up 2.8 goals per game. The Wild powerplay is ranked 14th and operates at 79.7% efficiency.
Superstar Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild in scoring with 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists).
Considering the Minnesota Wild haven’t played since December 31st, they have the option to start whichever goalie they’d like. While we may think Marc-Andre Fleury (12-8-1, 2.82 GAA, .904 SV%) is a likely started, Filip Gustavsson (8-5-1, 2.34 GAA, .920 SV%) is the probable starter for the Wild.
Updates
There are no new additions or major names on for either team on the NHL injury report.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
Before we give our Lightning vs Wild betting prediction and NHL picks, we need to review the NHL odds and betting records.
Tampa Bay is the slight moneyline underdog, with odds from +100 to +105. Minnesota is the moneyline favorite, with odds between -113 and -118. The Lightning have a 24-12 straight-up moneyline record, while the Wild are 21-15 straight-up.
The Lightning are listed at +1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds from -250 and -265. The Wild are listed at -1.5, with odds from +188 to +215. Both teams have 17-19 records against the spread.
The total goals line is set at 6.5 goals, although this game is listed at 6 or 5, depending on your sportsbook of choice. The over has odds from +100 to -108, while the under is listed from -112 to -115.
Tampa Bay has a 17-18-1 over/under record, while Minnesota is 17-19 over/under.
The Lightning are 6-0 in the last six games against Central Division competition, while the over is 4-1 in the last five against the Western Conference.
Notably, the Lightning are 1-10 in the last 11 games in Minnesota and 1-6 in the last seven overall.
The under is 5-0 in the last five Wild home games and 6-1 in the Wild’s last seven against the Atlantic Division.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Prediction
After reviewing the trends, stats, and odds for our Lightning vs Wild betting preview, we can make our NHL picks today.
We want to take the Tampa Bay Lightning to extend their winning streak to five games. However, when we look at all the betting trends, the Lightning’s recent performances in Minnesota, and adding in the fact that the Wild will be rested, everything points to picking the Minnesota Wild to win on the moneyline.
Our first Lightning vs Wild betting pick is to take the Wild on the moneyline.
The second of our Lightning vs Wild betting picks is to take the Lightning to cover the spread (+1.5). In Minnesota’s last three wins, they have covered the spread. This game will be a close, competitive affair and feels like a Minnesota overtime win.
We’re taking the Tampa Bay Lightning to cover the +1.5 spread as the second of our Lightning vs WIld betting picks.
Our final Lightning vs Wild betting pick is to take the under. We expect a close 3-2 overtime win for the Wild, so we’ll follow the betting trends and take the under.
NHL Picks: Minnesota Wild moneyline ( -113 to -118), Tampa Bay Lightning (+1.5), under.
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