The Minnesota Wild (44-23-10) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (38-30-10) on Thursday. Puck drop from PPG Paints Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Wild vs. Penguins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Wild suffered back-to-back losses against the Vegas Golden Knights in a home-and-home series Saturday (4-1) and Monday (4-3 in a shootout). Minnesota currently sits in a 3-way tie atop the Central Division with 98 points.
The Wild, Dallas Stars and defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche all have 98 points. The Wild and Stars have 77 games played, while the Avalanche have 76 games played.
The Penguins were humbled 5-1 on the road against the New Jersey Devils Tuesday. Pittsburgh has alternated losses and wins in the past 9 games dating back to March 20.
These teams met previously on Nov. 17 when the Pens came away with a 6-4 road win as the Over (6.5) easily connected.
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Wild at Penguins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Wild +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Penguins -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Wild +1.5 (-250) | Penguins -1.5 (+195)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Wild at Penguins projected goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury (24-14-4, 2.82 GAA, .910 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (22-12-6, 2.99 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO)
Fleury is confirmed to start against his original NHL team. He allowed 3 goals on 42 shots in a 4-1 setback against the Golden Knights Saturday, another one of his former teams.
Jarry has coughed up 9 goals on 72 shots in April, going 0-2-0 with a 4.55 GAA and .875 SV% in a pair of starts at New Jersey and home against the Boston Bostons. He was in the crease in the first meeting in mid-November, allowing 4 goals on 23 shots in a 6-4 win in the Twin Cities.
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Wild at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Wild 4, Penguins 2
Moneyline
The WILD (+105) are a solid value as short ‘dogs on the road, as Minnesota aims for 100 points to try to stay atop the Central Division.
Minnesota has won 7 of the past 10 games on the road and has won 16 of its last 23 games overall.
Pittsburgh has fallen on hard times lately, going 2-6 in the past 8 games when playing on a single day of rest, and has cashed just 7 of the past 25 games against winning teams.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Wild +1.5 (-250) are not a good value if you need some insurance, as Minnesota will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return.
The Wild are 8-4 in the past 12 games on the puck line as underdogs but just play them straight up if you like them.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-120) is the lean, but go lightly.
The Under is 10-3 in Minnesota’s last 13 games against Eastern Conference foes and 6-2 in the past against Metropolitan Division teams, according to covers.com.
The Under has cashed in 6 of Pittsburgh’s last 8 games against winning teams while going 8-1 in the past 9 against Central Division opponents.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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