by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Oct 31, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, November 1, 2024
Venue: Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, MN
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Lightning -108, Wild -112; Over/Under: 6 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Lightning -110, Wild -110; Over/Under: 6 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Lightning -110, Wild -110; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
Tampa Bay Lightning: 7-3-0 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)
Minnesota Wild: 6-1-2 (3rd place, Central Division)
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Recent Form
Tampa Bay Lightning: 7-3-0 last 10
Minnesota Wild: 6-1-2 last 9
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Minnesota Wild Preview and Analysis
The Lightning are entering this game with 14 points, a 7-3-0 record overall, and they are 3-2-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Colorado Avalanche in their last game, winning that one on the road 5-2. Jake Guentzel led the team in goals scored with 2 while Nikita Kucherov, Anthony Cirelli, and Conor Geekie each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, and Brayden Point each led the team in assists with 2 while Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel each led the team in shots on net in that game with 3. Andrei Vasilevskiy was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 35 shots with 33 saves and a .943 save percentage. Their offense has scored 39 goals this season averaging 3.9 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 28 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.
The Wild are entering this game with 14 points, a 6-1-2 record overall, and they are 1-0-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their last game, winning that one on the road 5-3. Frédérick Gaudreau led the team in goals scored with 2 while Kirill Kaprizov, Jakub Lauko, and Mats Zuccarello each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Kirill Kaprizov led the team in assists in that game with 2 while Kirill Kaprizov led the team in shots on net in that game with 7. Marc-André Fleury was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 29 shots with 26 saves and a .896 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 34 goals this season averaging 3.8 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 24 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.
Lightning vs Wild Prediction
The current betting odds have the Wild listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Wild have looked good in their games this season with their 6-1-2 record overall which has them near the top of their division in the West. They are coming off a 5-3 win in Pittsburgh in their last one, playing an emotional game for Fleury in the place he spent most of his career, but that win will give them some momentum going forward. Meanwhile, the Lightning have also looked good in their games this season with their 7-3-0 record overall which has them near the top of their division in the East. They are coming off a win against the Avalanche in their last one, but now they continue their road trip in Minnesota and this will be a tough game for them after playing in Colorado. There really hasn't been much to separate these two teams on offense and defense, but the Wild have the advantage being at home. The Wild have only played 2 home games this season too so they will be looking to get rolling now that they play the next 3 games on home ice. The best way to place a bet here is on the Wild to win this game.
Lightning Wild Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Friday, November 1, 2024 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Wild 4 Lightning 3.
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NHL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay Lightning: 100-84 (-7.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 18-22 (-9.8 units) on the moneyline on the road when the money line is -100 to -150. 43-48 (-11.4 units) on the moneyline in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 41-44 (-13.9 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus an opponent. 7-13 (-7.5 units) on the moneyline off a road blowout win by 3 goals or more.
Minnesota Wild: 70-41 (+11.3 units) on the moneyline as a favorite. 40-22 (+7.5 units) on the moneyline as a home favorite. 41-29 (+3.6 units) on the moneyline in a home game where the total is 6 or more. 37-32 (+3.9 units) on the moneyline in non-conference games. 80-60 (+10.2 units) on the moneyline against poor power play killing teams - opp score on over 17.5% of chances.
Key Injuries
Tampa Bay Lightning: None.
Minnesota Wild: R. Hartman (RW) Day To Day - Upper-body. T. Grosenick (G) Out For Season - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“It was a productive start, there’s no question about that. But this is a hard league to win in, especially on the road against a championship caliber team like that. And we want to get the lead for a reason, because like I said, it’s a tough league and it’s a tough league to come back in.“ - Jon Cooper after his team’s win against the Avs in their game on Wednesday.
"I didn't want to watch or look. My first time back here, I looked [at the video] and I had watery eyes and then I couldn't see. So, I didn't want to look. I just told the ref, 'Drop the puck. Let's go.'" - Marc-Andre Fleury on his return to Pittsburgh after their win against the Penguins on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Tampa Bay Lightning
LW Jake Guentzel
C Brayden Point
RW Nikita Kucherov
LD Victor Hedman
RD Janis Jérôme Moser
G Andrei Vasilevskiy
Minnesota Wild
LW Kirill Kaprizov
C Marco Rossi
RW Mats Zuccarello
LD Jacob Middleton
RD Brock Faber
G Filip Gustavsson
Statistical Leaders
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: N. Kucherov (17)
Goals: N. Kucherov (9)
Assists: A. Cirelli (10)
GAA: A. Vasilevskiy (2.47)
Minnesota Wild
Points: K. Kaprizov (18)
Goals: K. Kaprizov (5)
Assists: K. Kaprizov (13)
GAA: F. Gustavsson (2.17)
Coaches:
Tampa Bay Lightning: Jon Cooper (13th season)
Minnesota Wild: John Hynes (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
