Wild vs. Penguins Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Monday, Dec. 18

We have your Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Minnesota Wild hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Minnesota Wild (12-12-4) are set to face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins (13-13-3) in a mid-season clash. With both teams hovering around the .500 mark, this game could be a crucial pivot point as they push for a stronger position in their respective conference standings.

Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds Info

Moneyline: Minnesota Wild -100 (FanDuel) / Pittsburgh Penguins -118 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Minnesota Wild -245 (BetRivers) / Pittsburgh Penguins +205 (DraftKings)

Total: 6.0 – -105 (DraftKings) / -108 (BetRivers)

Game Info

Date: Monday, Dec. 18

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ESPN+

Minnesota Wild Betting Trends

• This season, the Minnesota Wild have hit 15 overs and 13 unders.
• On the road this season, the Minnesota Wild have hit 8 overs and 7 unders.
• As the underdog this season, the Minnesota Wild have hit 8 overs and 4 unders.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends

• This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 11 overs and 18 unders.
• At home this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 5 overs and 8 unders.
• As the favorite this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 8 overs and 10 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last three seasons, the Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins have faced off four times, with the Penguins emerging victorious in three of those encounters. The games, spanning from November 2021 to April 2023, have seen the visiting team claim three wins, suggesting a trend that home-ice advantage has not been a significant factor in this matchup. The Penguins have also been more successful against the spread, covering it in three out of the four games, while the Wild have only done so once. In terms of totals betting, the Over has hit three times, indicating a tendency towards higher-scoring games, with the Under only occurring once. Key statistics from these games show that the Penguins have been dominant in faceoffs, winning the majority in three out of the four games. Additionally, the Penguins have demonstrated a strong power play performance, particularly in the most recent game where they had a power play percentage of 25.0%.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on April 6, 2023, where the Pittsburgh Penguins secured a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. The Penguins were the favorites going into the game with a closing moneyline of -132 and a spread of -1.5, which they successfully covered. The game remained under the total score line of 6.5, with a combined score of 5. Pittsburgh’s power play was effective, converting one of their four opportunities, while Minnesota struggled, only scoring once on their five power play chances. The Penguins also outperformed the Wild in faceoffs, winning 56.7% compared to the Wild’s 43.3%. Key individual performances included Kris Letang and Jake Guentzel, both contributing to multiple points for the Penguins, while the Wild’s lone goal came from Marcus Johansson, assisted by Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy. Tristan Jarry was formidable in goal for Pittsburgh, saving 27 of 28 shots for a save percentage of 0.964, whereas Marc-Andre Fleury faced 31 shots and made 27 saves for Minnesota.

Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Predictions

The Wild come into the game on a three-game winning streak, finding a rhythm under coach John Hynes who has led the team to a 7-2-0 record since taking over. Minnesota’s offense has been sparked by the play of Mats Zuccarello, leading the team with 28 points, and Joel Eriksson Ek, who tops the goal-scoring chart with 14. The Wild’s recent form suggests they are finding ways to win tight games, a trend they’ll look to continue on the road.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back from a heavy 7-0 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Penguins will rely on their star players Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, who lead the team in goals and points, respectively, to reignite their offense. The Penguins have been inconsistent this season, but their performance at PPG Paints Arena, where they have a 6-6-1 record, could provide the boost they need to turn things around.

Defensively, both teams have had their struggles, with the Penguins and Wild ranking in the lower half of their conferences in goals against. This matchup could come down to goaltending and special teams, where Pittsburgh has historically had the edge. However, with both teams fighting to climb the standings and key players on each side capable of making an impact, this game is poised to be a tightly contested battle on the ice.

Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Pick

Considering the recent trends and the historic head-to-head statistics, the ‘Under’ appears to be the more compelling pick for this matchup. The Penguins and Wild have both shown a tendency towards lower-scoring games this season, with Pittsburgh hitting 18 unders and Minnesota hitting 13 unders. Moreover, the last encounter between these two teams stayed under the total score line, with a combined score of 5 against a total line of 6.5. This suggests a continuation of the trend where tight, defensively focused games are the norm when these teams meet.

Additionally, both teams have had their defensive struggles, but with the Wild’s recent improvement under coach John Hynes and the Penguins looking to tighten up after a heavy loss, a more cautious approach could be expected from both sides. The Penguins’ home record and the Wild’s road record also support the under, as neither team has been particularly high-scoring in these situations. With key players on both teams, there is potential for offensive sparks, but the overall patterns and the importance of the game for conference standings point towards a strategic and defensively responsible game, making the ‘Under’ the more justified pick.

The Pick: Under 6.0 -105 (DraftKings)

Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Pittsburgh Penguins