Minnesota Wild vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

The Minnesota Wild and the Tampa Bay Lightning are set to face off at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, HBO Max, and truTV. In their previous meeting on March 3, the Wild emerged victorious with a 5-1 win as a slight underdog. RW Mats Zuccarello and G Filip Gustavsson played key roles in that game for Minnesota.

The Wild are coming off a close 2-1 overtime win against the Dallas Stars, but have been struggling to find the back of the net recently, averaging just 2.2 goals per game in their last 6 outings. Despite their scoring woes, they have managed to maintain their position as the fifth-best team in the NHL.

On the other hand, the Lightning are returning home after a successful road trip where they went 3-0-1. They are currently 4 points behind the Buffalo Sabres in the Atlantic Division, with 13 games left in the season.

In terms of odds, the Lightning are favored at -180 on the moneyline, while the Wild are the underdogs at +145. The Over/Under is set at 6 goals, with the Under (-102) looking like a safer bet due to the Wild’s recent offensive struggles.

In goal, Jesper Wallstedt will likely start for the Wild, while Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to man the crease for the Lightning. Both goalies have been solid recently, with Vasilevskiy winning 3 straight games and Wallstedt putting up impressive numbers despite a lack of offensive support.

Overall, our expert NHL picks and predictions lean towards a narrow 3-2 victory for the Lightning, but the Wild at +1.5 on the puck line could provide some insurance in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Keep an eye on the Under 6 as well, given the recent scoring struggles for Minnesota. For more sports betting tips and picks, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.