Minnesota vs Tampa Bay Prediction 8 November 2026
🔊 Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning come into their game on winning streaks and with serious ambitions. The Wild are among the top three teams in the Western Conference, while the Lightning continue to pick up points despite talk about Nikita Kucherov’s future. The teams met recently in Florida, where the home side won. Now Minnesota have a chance to get revenge. And they’ll have home ice as they test the Lightning’s defence, which has not always held up under pressure in recent games.
Carlson's brace seals victory
📊 The teams’ first meeting this season took place in Tampa and ended in a Lightning win (3:2). Defenceman John Carlson led the way with two goals, while Anthony Cirelli scored the other. Nikita Kucherov had two assists. Quinn Hughes and Blake Coleman scored for Minnesota, with Kirill Kaprizov assisting on one of the goals. The teams now switch venues, and the Wild will try to make use of home-ice advantage.
Head-to-head statistics Minnesota - Tampa Bay
Kaprizov sets the pace
Minnesota have won 12 of their 18 games and come into this one on a three-game winning streak. In their last seven games, their only loss came outside regulation. Their attack looks particularly dangerous: the Wild generate an average of 3.57 expected goals per game, the third-highest mark in the NHL. Kirill Kaprizov has scored 16 goals and leads the league in goals, while Quinn Hughes regularly contributes to the attack from the blue line.
Minnesota beat San Jose 4:1 in their last game, with Kaprizov recording four points - a goal and three assists. Hughes added a goal and two assists, and Maxim Shabanov scored on the power play. Jesper Wallstedt made 23 saves. Kaprizov and Hughes have now recorded a point in seven straight games. There was a setback, though: Michael McCarron left the ice in the third period, and his availability for the next game remains uncertain.
Match Results: Minnesota Wild
Wins amid rumours
Tampa Bay Lightning have picked up points in five straight games, though there has been plenty of talk around the team following a report that Nikita Kucherov requested a trade. It has not affected their play so far. The Lightning have won eight straight home games to start the season, setting a franchise record. Their power play is working well too: they have scored with the man advantage in seven of their last eight games. Brayden Point has also extended his point streak to six games.
Their last game, against Chicago, ended in a convincing 4-1 win. Ilya Mikheyev played his former club for the first time and scored twice, with Erik Cernak assisting on both goals. Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh added a goal each. Andrei Vasilevskiy made his 600th career start and stopped 24 of 25 shots. Tampa Bay allowed their only goal in the final minute, when the result was already beyond doubt.
Match Results: Tampa Bay Lightning
First-Period Prediction
Minnesota Wild scored in the first period in 13 of their last 14 NHL home games. Tampa Bay Lightning allowed an average of 1.57 first-period goals per road game this season and 1.8 over their recent run. We pick Minnesota Wild first-period team total over 0.5 goals at odds of 1.58.
Total Goals Prediction
The total has stayed under 6.5 goals in ten straight Minnesota Wild games. They have allowed an average of 1.9 goals over their last ten games, but Tampa Bay Lightning have scored more than 3.5 goals in five straight games - a strong argument against a low-scoring game. We pick under 6.5 total goals at odds of 1.6.
Reliable Bet
In 20 of Minnesota Wild’s last 21 home games, the total was under 7.5 goals. All ten of their most recent games also finished under 6.5 goals - a stricter line for an under prediction. We’re taking total goals under 7.5 at odds of 1.3.
*Odds are approximate and may vary between sportsbooks.*
⭐️ Editor's Pick
Minnesota Wild have rarely been limited to one or two goals lately. They have scored at least three in seven straight games, including four in their most recent game against San Jose. The Wild also have a good record against Tampa Bay Lightning: they have scored at least three goals in five of their previous six meetings. The Lightning recently beat Chicago comfortably, but have allowed an average of three goals over their last five games. Given the scoring form of Kaprizov and his teammates, we expect the home team to reach that mark again. Our pick - Minnesota Wild team total over 2.5 goals.
No comments
Betting Tips: Minnesota Wild - Tampa Bay Lightning
in 6 of last 7 games (NHL).
in 13 of last 14 games (NHL).in 9 of last 10 home games (NHL).in 9 of last 10 games (NHL).in 8 of last 9 games (NHL).
Other predictions
