Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET (8:30 PM CT local)
Venue: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
TV/Radio: ESPN+ / SCRIPPS Sports (Lightning regional), Bally Sports North / FanDuel Sports Network North (Wild); local radio on 970 WFLA / Lightning Audio Network (Lightning) and KFAN 100.3 FM (Wild)
The Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning bring one of the Eastern Conference’s top records to Saint Paul for a non-conference clash against a Minnesota Wild team holding strong in the Central Division’s upper tier. Tampa (80 points, 1st Atlantic) is coming off back-to-back losses (including a 6-2 setback to Buffalo on Feb. 28) but boasts elite scoring depth and goaltending. Minnesota (80 points, 3rd Central) snapped a brief skid with a recent loss to St. Louis on March 1 but remains a tough home team (17-7-7) with defensive structure and Kaprizov leading the charge. This is the first (and only) regular-season meeting between the teams in 2025-26.
Injury Report
Tampa Bay Lightning (depth forward concerns):
- Nick Paul (C/LW) – Out (undisclosed; IR, expected return at least March 12)
- Maxwell Crozier (D) – Out for Season (abdomen; IR)
- Gage Goncalves (C) – Day-to-Day (undisclosed; left Feb. 28 game vs. BUF, at least next 2 games out)
- Dominic James (C) – Day-to-Day (leg; left Feb. 28 game vs. BUF, at least next 2 games out)
- Others: Anthony Cirelli recently returned from lower-body (missed 4 games); core stars (Kucherov, Point, Hedman, Vasilevskiy) available and expected full participation.
Minnesota Wild (defensive and forward depth issues):
- Jonas Brodin (D) – Out (lower body; IR, expected return at least March 24)
- Marcus Foligno (LW) – Day-to-Day (lower body; missed March 1 vs. STL)
- Filip Gustavsson (G) – Day-to-Day (illness; status uncertain for tonight)
- Joel Eriksson Ek (C) – Day-to-Day (face; missed recent games)
- Others: Kirill Kaprizov available and hot (tied franchise goal record with 219); Matt Boldy, Brock Faber, and Filip Gustavsson/backup tandem in net.
Both teams are managing depth injuries, but Tampa’s forward absences hit secondary scoring while Minnesota’s blue-line loss (Brodin) forces heavier minutes for remaining D.
Recent Form (Last 5-10 Games)
Lightning (strong overall but recent dip):
- L 2-6 vs. BUF (Feb. 28) – Defensive breakdowns in loss
- Prior wins streak snapped; 16-4 SU in last 20 entering slump. Averaging high goals in wins but allowing more lately (3.5+ GA/G in losses).
Wild (solid but mixed):
- L 1-3 vs. STL (March 1) – Kaprizov goal but late collapse
- 6-2-0 in prior 8 before back-to-back losses; strong home form (17-7-7) with low-event wins. Defensive edge but scoring reliant on top line.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
First meeting of the season (0-0).
All-time: Lightning lead 13-19-1-3? Wait, historical data shows Tampa with edge in recent non-conference clashes, but low sample. Games trend competitive with moderate scoring.
Key Player Matchups
- Nikita Kucherov / Brayden Point (Lightning top line) vs. Wild shutdown D (Faber / Middleton sans Brodin): Kucherov’s elite playmaking and Point’s speed exploit gaps in depleted Minnesota blue line.
- Kirill Kaprizov / Matt Boldy (Wild top forwards) vs. Tampa defensive pair (Hedman / Sergachev): Kaprizov (219 franchise goals tied) creates high-danger chances; Tampa must limit transition.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (Lightning G, elite .915+ SV% lately) vs. Filip Gustavsson / backup (Wild): Vasi’s experience gives Tampa edge if Gustavsson sits (illness).
- Special Teams: Lightning PP top-tier; Wild PK strong at home but vulnerable without Brodin.
Betting Trends
- Lightning 16-4 SU last 20 overall; over in 5 of last 6 Tampa games.
- Wild 8-3 SU last 11 vs. Atlantic opponents; strong home but recent losses.
- Total over trends in Lightning road games lately; under in Wild home defensive battles.
- Tampa favored heavily due to record/road resilience.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning – 130
Minnesota Wild 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, March 2, 2026
