The Minnesota Wild, spearheaded by Eric Staal and Ryan Suter, are prepared to take the ice against Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in an East-West matchup. NBC Sports Network will air the action, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14.
Minnesota Wild at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Moneyline odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Pittsburgh is 28-17 straight-up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 6.7 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league so far this season, is an improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (44-38). Of the team’s 45 games this season, 22 have gone over the total, while another 22 have gone under and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team is 16-8 SU at home.
The Penguins have converted on 18.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all penalties.
With a .896 save percentage and 24.5 saves per game, Matt Murray (14-11-4) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Pens this year. If Pittsburgh chooses to rest him, however, the team might go with Tristan Jarry (15-7-7 record, .932 save percentage, 2.08 goals against average).
In the other locker room, Minnesota is 20-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 45 regular season outings, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under the total and just four have pushed. The Wild are 9-16 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Wild have converted on just 17.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 76.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Alex Stalock (3.01 goals against average and .903 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota. Stalock is averaging 25.9 saves per game and owns a 10-12-3 record.
Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The Wild are 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Penguins are 3-0 in shootouts.
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their last five matches.
- The Pens this season have recorded the second-most hits per game in the NHL (28.6), but that number has risen to 31.4 over their past five games as the home team.
