The Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins meet at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night, wrapping up a seven-game road trip for the Wild. This game holds extra significance as it could be the final time Marc-Andre Fleury plays in Pittsburgh, the city where he began his career. Both teams are looking to bounce back from recent losses, with the Penguins aiming to break a five-game losing skid.
Minnesota Wild Overview
Minnesota has had a solid start to the season with a 5-1-2 record. However, the Wild are coming off a tough 7-5 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, which ended their four-game winning streak. Key players like Kirill Kaprizov continue to shine, with Kaprizov recording five consecutive multi-point games. He has tallied three goals and eight assists during that streak, showing why he remains one of the league’s top offensive threats. To learn more about Kaprizov’s performance this season, visit the NHL page on Kirill Kaprizov.
The return of Jared Spurgeon from injury could bolster Minnesota’s defense, which has struggled to contain opponents at times. In net, Fleury or Filip Gustavsson will take on the starting role. Fleury, with his wealth of experience, is likely to savor every moment if he gets the start in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins Overview
The Penguins are looking to reverse a poor stretch of play, having lost five straight games (0-4-1). Pittsburgh allowed four goals in the second period during their recent 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, exposing defensive lapses that need urgent attention. Despite the team’s struggles, Evgeni Malkin leads the way with 14 points, including 11 assists, proving he is still a key playmaker for the Penguins. For more about Malkin’s season stats, visit his NHL profile page.
Pittsburgh will hope for a better performance from Alex Nedeljkovic, who is expected to start in net. With a 3.94 GAA, he will need to step up to give the Penguins a chance to end their losing streak. Injuries are also impacting the team, with Bryan Rust’s availability in doubt after suffering a lower-body injury against Vancouver.
Prediction and Pick
This matchup presents an opportunity for both teams to reset and regain momentum. Minnesota’s offensive firepower, led by Kaprizov, will challenge Pittsburgh’s defense, but the Penguins’ experience on home ice might give them the edge. If Fleury starts, it adds an emotional layer to the game that could influence the Wild’s performance.
- Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins +105
- Prediction: Penguins 4, Wild 3
