Minnesota Wild vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 12/18/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Monday, December 18, 2023

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (+107) Penguins (-129)

PPG Paints Arena is the site where the Pittsburgh Penguins (13-13-3) will attempt to defeat the Minnesota Wild (12-12-4) on Monday. The line on this contest has the Wild at +107 and the Penguins are priced at -129. The total comes in at 7.

The Minnesota Wild had a decent effort after finishing in a 1-1 tie against the Canucks their last time out. Minnesota accumulated 10 mins in the box in this game. In addition, they had 2 power play chances but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. The Wild didn't have their best offensive outing in this game. For the outing, they scored on 1 out of the 31 shots they tried.

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While playing at even strength, the Wild have conceded 62 goals while getting 67 on offense. Minnesota Wild opponents have tallied 100 power play opportunities (10th in hockey) and have racked up 27 goals in those attempts. In regard to their scoring capabilities, the Minnesota Wild have accumulated 83 goals (26th in the league) so far this season and have allowed 89. Minnesota has attempted 851 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.8%. For the current season, they have earned 28 points and their points percentage sits at .500. The Wild thus far have had 852 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .896. Minnesota has compiled 95 power play opportunities and they have tallied 16 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 16.84%.

The man in goal for this game is Filip Gustavsson. Gustavsson has played in 84 contests over the course of his pro hockey career. He has compiled an overall record of 40-29-12 and he started in 78 games. Opponents have tallied 209 goals versus Gustavsson in his NHL career and his goals against average is 2.58. Gustavsson has had 2,532 shot attempts taken against him and has gathered 2,323 total saves. His save percentage currently sits at .917 for his 4,867 minutes in the crease. In his career, Gustavsson has 49 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .628.

Their last time out, Pittsburgh faced the Maple Leafs in a game where the Penguins ended up losing by a final score of 7-0. The Penguins scored 0 goals out of the 38 shots on goal they attempted. They had 3 power play attempts in this game but weren't able to score a goal.

On the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have earned a total of 82 goals, 29 points, and a points percentage of .500. They have allowed 80 goals to be scored by of a combination of 62 goals at even strength and 18 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Penguins are sitting with 71 goals at even strength and 11 goals (28th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have earned 85 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 12.94%. Pittsburgh has taken 965 shots (8th in pro hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 8.50%, while allowing the other team 913 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 81.05% on the other teams 95 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.2%.

Across the rink you will find Tristan Jarry patrolling the crease. Jarry has earned a career record of 126-71-22 and has played in 228 contests. Jarry's quality start percentage sits at 60.5% and he has accumulated 133 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has recorded 6,020 stops out of 6,590 shots attempted, which gives him a rate of .914. Teams are averaging 2.64 goals per contest and he has surrendered 570 goals overall. He has made the start in 220 games and has accumulated 12,937 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Pittsburgh (-129)

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