NHL Predictions: Expect Lightning to Strike Wild
Call it the Disappointment Bowl.
Both were expected to be playoff teams in their respective conferences. Both are on the outside of the playoff cut line. Both are slightly above .500 in points percentage despite having losing records overall.
And tonight, in the Xcel Energy Center, the resistible force meets the movable object as the Minnesota Wild host the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Even though they have been underwhelming before the 2023-24 season, take Tampa Bay with NHL picks today.
Lightning vs Wild Game Information
- Game: Lightning (18-16-5) vs Wild (16-16-4).
- Location: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
- Day/Time: Thursday, Jan. 4, 8:00 P.M. ET
- Lightning vs Wild Live Stream: NHL.TV
The Tampa Bay Lightning (18-16-5) are slight -130 online betting favorites when they visit the Minnesota Wild (16-16-4) on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Xcel Energy Center. The game airs at 8:00 PM ET on BSSUN, BSN, and BSWI. The over/under is six.
Lightning vs Wild Odds and Spreads
Lightning vs Wild Betting Trend
- Minnesota has won its last four games when it is in a stretch of four games in six nights.
- The Wild have won four straight against Atlantic Division competition.
- Minnesota has won four in a row against Eastern Conference competition.
- The Wild have lost seven of their last eight games as a home underdog.
- Minnesota has lost four of its last five games as a home underdog of +110 to +150.
- The under is 8-2 in the Wild’s last 10 home games.
- The under is 4-0 in Minnesota’s last four games as a home underdog.
- The under is 3-0-1 in the Wild’s last four games as an underdog.
Lightning, Wild Under 6 (Ev)
Because the Wild will not have seven regulars due to injuries, it is unlikely they will match their 3.00 goals scored per game average. Take the under in our sportsbook.
Tampa Bay Lightning -1½ (+185)
Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy appears to be rounding into his traditional form (8-8-0 with a 2.94 goals-against average). Go with Tampa Bay with your Thursday hockey picks.
Tampa Bay Lightning -130
Tampa Bay’s offensive attack ranks 14th in the NHL with a 3.23 goals scored per game average.
Nikita Kucherov Over 1½ Points (-122)
Nikita Kucherov has recorded 29 power-play points in 38 games, an average of 0.76 power-play points per game. Look for him to add to those numbers.
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Lightning vs Wild Prediction
Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Minnesota Wild 1
Questions Of The Day
Which Lightning player is most likely to go over their assist prop?
Kucherov is -225 to finish with more than 0.5 assists. Considering he is averaging 0.94 assists per game, that’s a relatively safe bet.
Which team's defense is more likely to shut down the opposing offense?
Tampa’s defense is likely to shut down Minnesota’s offense since the Wild will not have key offensive players because of injury.
