Wild vs Lightning Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NHL Bets (1/18): Bolts Sweep Season Series

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It’s a busy night around the National Hockey League as 11 games are on the Thursday, Jan. 18 schedule. There’s a pair of matchups being broadcast on ESPN+, including a collision between the Minnesota Wild (18-20-5) and Tampa Bay Lightning (22-17-5) at Amalie Arena at 7 p.m. ET.

One more meeting with the Wild. ⚡️

📺: @ESPNPlus & @hulu
📻: @BoltsRadio & @1025TheBone #MINvsTBL: https://t.co/ZpyusFPiKF pic.twitter.com/BQntBQ8bw6

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 18, 2024

The Wild finally put a brief end to their losing ways earlier this week, notching a massive 5-0 win over the New York Islanders on Monday. Tonight’s game also marks the end of a four-game homestand for the Lightning, who won the first three outings 12-6 on aggregate.

When it comes to Bovada’s 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final odds, both of these clubs have work to do. Tampa Bay’s +2500 odds (14th) to go on a championship run are less than favorable, however, those odds are still much better than Minnesota at +15000 (T-24th).

• Minnesota is 2-7 straight up in its last nine road games vs. Tampa Bay.
• Tampa Bay is 8-2 straight up in its last 10 home games.
• The total hit the Over in four of Minnesota’s last five road games.
• The total hit the Over in four of Tampa Bay’s last six home games on a Thursday.
• The Over is 5-4-1 in the last 10 Minnesota-Tampa Bay matchups.

Wild vs Lightning Prediction & Pick (1/18)

You don’t have to go too far back for the last meeting between these teams. The Wild and Lightning collided at Xcel Energy Center back on Jan. 4, resulting in a 4-1 victory for Tampa Bay as Darren Raddysh scored twice while Andrei Vasilevskiy turned aside 22 of the 23 shots he faced.

Since that encounter, the Lightning went on to win three of the next four games while the Wild went 2-3-1 during that stretch, meaning John Hynes’ club has now dropped eight of the last 10 games. Minnesota has struggled at both ends of the ice throughout the skid, getting outscored 38-20 in those contests.

Unfortunately, it isn’t as if things get any better for the Wild tonight. Playing on the road has proven to be a struggle for them, highlighted by their abysmal 7-13 SU record in away contests.

The Lightning, meanwhile, are 14-8 SU at Amalie Arena and have won eight of their last 10 home games heading into tonight’s meeting.

Can the Lightning keep up their winning ways at Amalie Arena with another home victory tonight?

It could also be tough for the Wild to keep when with the Lightning’s loaded roster. Nikita Kucherov is tied for the league lead in points with 72 and ranks third with 28 goals. Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos are both playing at a point-per-game pace. Even Victor Hedman is on pace for 76 points, which would be the second-best mark of his 15-year career.

As for the Wild, nobody on the team has more than Joel Eriksson Ek’s 17 goals. In fact, there isn’t even a Minnesota player who’s recorded more than 35 points. Although injuries have hampered the Wild’s offensive potential, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the Lightning are the deeper team.

Furthermore, Tampa Bay also holds the special teams advantage. While the Lightning rank first on the power play and 14th when it comes to the penalty kill, the Wild sit 20th and 29th, respectively in that regard.

Daily Faceoff points to Vasilevskiy being the Lightning’s starting goal after going 3-0 with a .917 save percentage and 1.96 goals-against average in his last three starts. Meanwhile, the Wild’s Marc-André Fleury hasn’t been as consistent, tallying a 2.66 GAA, .899 SV%, and a shutout with a 2-2-1 record in his last six appearances (5 starts).

Not too surprising, but expect Andrei Vasilevskiy to start tonight with Jonas Johansson on the ice for the optional morning skate. Haydn Fleury is also skating, along with Raddysh, Barré-Boulet, Perbix, Watson, Lilleberg, Crozier, Myers, Merelä and Eyssimont.

— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) January 18, 2024

Even though the Wild have some momentum from their latest effort, their overall record over the last few weeks has me siding with the Lightning. Tampa Bay has been playing great hockey lately — especially at home — and just beat Minnesota by three goals on the road a few weeks back. Considering how the Lightning are also 7-2 SU in their last nine home games against the Wild, I’d be shocked if the home team doesn’t emerge victorious.

On top of that, I like Tampa Bay on the puck line. The Lightning have four multi-goal victories in their last nine home games against the Wild, who lost six games by two or more goals in their last 10 outings — including a 7-2 loss to the Dallas Stars in their last road contest.

With the Lightning also having the edge on special teams, the makings are right for the puck line to be covered.

Wild vs Lightning Prediction: TB wins

Best Wild vs Lightning NHL Bet: TB -1.5 (+180)

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Best Wild vs Lightning NHL Player Prop (1/18)

After browsing the various Wild vs. Lightning player props, I like Steven Stamkos to record over 2.5 shots on goal.

Stamkos remains an offensive threat in his 16th NHL season, averaging 3.1 SOG per game. When it comes to this prop, the Over is 9-6 in his last 15 games (a span where he’s averaging 3.2 SOG) on top of the fact that he’s finished with at least three shots in three of his last four outings. Additionally, the Over is 5-3 in his last eight games at Amalie Arena.

Having registered seven shots the time the Wild and Lightning met in Tampa, Stamkos is a great pick to record a trio of SOG tonight.

Best Wild vs Lightning Prop Bet: Steven Stamkos o2.5 Shots on Goal (-155)

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