The Pittsburgh Penguins (24-31-10) are set to face off against the Minnesota Wild (36-23-4) on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This game is crucial for both teams as they aim to improve their standings in their respective divisions.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have had a challenging season, currently sitting near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. They are on a four-game losing streak and are looking to bounce back. Key players for the Penguins include:
Sidney Crosby: Leading the team with 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) in 25 career games against the Wild.
Rickard Rakell: Contributing significantly with 29 goals and 23 assists this season.
Erik Karlsson: Adding 35 points (9 goals, 26 assists) in 30 games against the Wild.
Defensively, the Penguins are allowing an average of 3.63 goals per game. Goaltender Joel Blomqvist has been solid, stopping 35 of 39 shots faced in their previous matchup against the Wild.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have had a strong season, currently sitting in the fourth seed in the Central Division. They have won five of their last ten games and are looking to continue their momentum. Key players for the Wild include:
Kirill Kaprizov: Leading the team with 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 43 career games against the Penguins.
Freddy Gaudreau: Contributing significantly with two goals and one assist in their previous matchup against the Penguins.
Marc-André Fleury: The goaltender with a solid performance, saving 26 of 29 shots faced in their previous matchup against the Penguins.
Defensively, the Wild are allowing an average of 2.86 goals per game. They have been effective in their recent games, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.
Game Insights
Goals/Game: The Penguins are averaging 2.82 goals per game, while the Wild are averaging 2.79 goals.
Power Play: The Penguins have a 23.9% success rate on the power play, while the Wild have a 20.3% success rate.
Penalty Kill: The Penguins have a 78.7% success rate on the penalty kill, while the Wild have a 70.2% success rate.
Injuries and Lineup Changes
Penguins: No significant injuries reported.
Wild: Jonas Brodin (lower body), Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body), and Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) are out.
Pittsburgh Penguins 0
Minnesota Wild 0
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, March 8, 2025
