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The one thing the Penguins absolutely need to do to beat the Wild, according to NHL analyst
Photo credit: Edit from PensBurgh
NHL analyst Jason Mackey revealed that if the Penguins want to beat the Wild tonight, they will absolutely need to score the first goal or else it will be trouble.
The Minnesota Wild come to Pittsburgh with momentum. Both teams have 24 points, but Minnesota, with its 10-7-4 record, has been one of the hottest teams in the league, going 7-2-1 in its last 10 outings and allowing only 1.89 goals per game since November 1, which is the second-best in the league.
The Wild penalty kill has been particularly hot, going 20-23 in its last 10 games.
The main man, however, is still Kirill Kaprizov. He is fifth in the league with power-play goals (6) and is tied for eighth in shots (73) and power-play points (10). He has collected 14 points over his last 13 outings.
Minnesota is welcoming back a key injured defenseman tonight
Additionally, Minnesota is set to return Zach Bogosian from injured reserve, and Filip Gustavsson will get the start in net.
The Wild have not found themselves trailing in a game in regulation since November 6th, and that streak has reached six games and 372 minutes and 21 seconds.
Why the Penguins will likely need to score first tonight if they want to win
The Wild are tied with three other teams with 13 first-goal wins, and they're 9-2-2 when scoring first.
NHL analyst Jason Mackey believes that the Penguins need to come out and score early, so they don't find themselves playing from behind, which could be big trouble. If they want to win, they basically need to score first.
"The Wild have not trailed in regulation since a 4-3 loss at Carolina on Nov. 6, a stretch of six consecutive games and 372:21 of ice time - roughly 42 minutes shy of the franchise record from 2014-15. Meaning the Penguins would be wise to score first."
- Jason Mackey
- Jason Mackey
Arturs Silovs will get the start for Pittsburgh, with Sergei Murashov set to face Seattle on Saturday. He is quietly 5th in the league with a .914 save percentage, and has helped his team collect points in eight of his last 10 starts (4-2-4).
Interestingly, the Wild are not going with red-hot goalie Jesper Wallstedt, who made 42 saves Wednesday against Carolina and is 5-0-2 with a 2.20 GAA and .926 save percentage this season.
Gustavsson has a 1-4-0 record with a 3.82 GAA and .881 save percentage in five career games against Pittsburgh, although Minnesota may just think he is due for a good performance.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 21 | 35 ANSWERS The one thing the Penguins absolutely need to do to beat the Wild, according to NHL analyst Who will score the first goal tonight? | ||
| Penguins | 21 | 60 % |
| Wild | 14 | 40 % |
| List of polls | ||