The Minnesota Wild (18-20-5) travel to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (22-17-5) on Thursday, January 18th. This game will be played at Amalie Arena in Tampa and televised on ESPN+. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Puck drop is set for 7:00 ET.

Wild vs Lightning

The Minnesota Wild Are Coming Off A Win

On the season, the Wild have gone 18-20-5 overall and 8-11 against Western Conference opponents. In the Central Division, Minnesota is in 7th place with 41 points. Over their last ten games, the Wild have gone just 2-8 and have dropped four straight games. In games away from home, Minnesota is 7-11-2.

As the underdog, the Wild have gone 5-16-3 this season and have been the underdog in 24 of their 43 games. Against Tampa Bay, Minnesota is getting +1.5 on the puck line. So far this season, the Wild have been the underdog in 19 games.

On the road this season, the Wild have a puck line record of 11-9, and they have gone 22-21 overall. So far, Minnesota has 14 losses by more than one goal, and their average scoring margin as the underdog is at -1.2 goals per game.

Minnesota comes into this game with a puck line record of 3-7 in their last ten games, and their average scoring margin on the road is at -0.5 goals per game. In their last three games, the Wild have gone 2-1 vs. the puck line.

Facing the Islanders in their last game, the Wild won by a score of 5-0. Against the Islanders, Wild’s offense was able to score in all three periods. Minnesota finished with two power-play goals, while they also managed to score one time when shorthanded. Their game concluded with 40 shots on goal.

Minnesota came in as the favorites with a -1.5 goal advantage and, as a result, recorded a win against the puck line. Combining for 5 goals, the game finished below the over/under line of 6.

The Tampa Bay Lightning Are Coming Off A Win

At home this season, Tampa Bay has gone 14-5-3 and is currently riding a four-game home winning streak. In the Eastern Conference, the Lightning are in 8th place and have a record of 9-11 against other teams in the conference. Over their last three games, Tampa Bay has gone 3-0 and they have a record of 4-1 over their last five games.

Overall, the Lightning have a record of 22-17-5 and have been favored in 23 of their 44 games this season. Against other teams in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay has gone 4-7 and they have a record of 6-4 over their last ten games. As the favorite, the Lightning have won four straight games.

At home this season, the Lightning have gone 13-9 against the puck line, and they have a puck line record of 21-23 overall. So far, Tampa Bay has had 14 wins by multiple goals and eight wins by just one goal.

Across their last ten home games, the Lightning have gone 6-4 against the puck line, and their average scoring margin at home is at +.8 goals per game. This season, Tampa Bay has been favored in 23 games, and their puck line record as the favorite is at 8-15.

Facing the Ducks in their last game, the Lightning won by a score of 5-1. On offense, the Lightning were held scoreless in the first period, but found the net three times in the second period and ended with two goals in the third. Of Tampa Bay’s five goals, three were scored while in power play situations. Their game ended with 41 shots on goal and seven giveaways.

Coming into the game favored by -1.5, Tampa Bay also managed to pick up a victory against the puck line. The game ended below the over/under line of 6.5, with a combined total of 6 goals.

Minnesota Offense Breakdown

The Wild come into the game scoring an average of 2.9 goals per game, putting them 26th in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 19th in the league. This season, the Wild are 12-8 when getting more shots on goal than their opponents. And in games with fewer shots on goal, they have a 6-12 record.

For the season, the over/under record of the Wild’s stands at 20-19-4. They have had 21 games during the season that exceeded the 6 over/under line. On average, their games are averaging 6.3 goals per game.

Lightning Offense Breakdown

When looking at their offense, the Lightning have an average of 3.3 goals per game this season, positioning themselves 7th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are ranked 16th in the league. Coming into the game, the Lightning have a 14-11 record when they have more shots on goal than their opponent. When they have fewer shots on goal, they are 8-5.

For the season, the over/under record of the Lightning’s stands at 19-21-4. They have had 21 games during the season that exceeded the 6 over/under line. On average, their games are averaging 6.7 goals per game.

Minnesota Team Defense

Defensively, the Wild come into the season ranked 24th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 30 shots per game against Minnesota. For the season, they are ranked 10th in shutouts, coming in with 3 shutouts.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

The Lightning defense is currently 17th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 29.8 shots per game against Tampa Bay. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 6th with 3 shutouts.

Wild vs Lightning Trends

• Although Minnesota has a straight up record of 2-3 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the puck line going 2-3. The team averaged 3 goals per game in these games.
• When looking at their past three matchups at home, Tampa Bay has an puck line record of 2-1 while averaging 4 per game. The team went 3-0 overall in these games.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Tampa Bay has an puck line mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Wild have gone 5-5 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 9-1.

Wild vs Lightning Prediction

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Lightning to come out with a win against the Wild while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at -146, I’m placing my bet on the Lightning to win outright.

My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Wild to cover. Even if the Lightning win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Wild should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

---

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

---

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.