Minnesota Wild vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Predictions for Thursday October 8 2026
The Minnesota Wild visit the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, October 8, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. Minnesota enters at 2-0 after an excellent start to the season, while Tampa Bay is 2-1 and has also opened the year playing solid hockey. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more NHL predictions throughout the season.
Minnesota Has Started the Season the Right Way
Minnesota’s 2-0 start isn’t simply about getting results. The Wild have been extremely difficult to score against, opening with a 3-1 victory over Nashville before beating Boston 4-1. That’s seven goals scored against only two allowed.
The defensive work immediately stands out. Minnesota hasn’t needed to chase games or depend on huge offensive nights because it has controlled what opponents are getting at the other end. That style travels well and makes the Wild particularly interesting as an underdog.
Tampa Bay represents a step up in offensive danger, but Minnesota has earned some respect with what it has shown through two games. The Wild don’t need to dominate Thursday. They simply need to keep the game structured and give themselves a chance late.
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Tampa Bay Has Plenty of Offensive Upside
Tampa Bay is 2-1 and comes into this matchup after beating Philadelphia 4-1. The Lightning remain capable of creating offense from several different areas, which makes them a considerably different challenge than Minnesota faced in its first two games.
The Lightning also have home ice and the stronger market position. Tampa Bay should spend stretches of this game controlling possession and forcing Minnesota to defend, particularly if the Wild begin taking penalties.
Still, Minnesota’s early defensive form makes this difficult to price as an easy Tampa Bay victory. The Wild have allowed one goal in each of their first two games and have looked comfortable protecting leads.
Minnesota Wild vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Predictions
Pick: Minnesota Wild +1.5
Minnesota +1.5 is the side pick. Tampa Bay deserves to be favored at home, but I’m not interested in fading a Wild team that has opened 2-0 while outscoring its opponents 7-2. Minnesota’s defensive structure gives it an excellent chance to keep this close even if Tampa Bay ultimately wins. Getting the goal-and-a-half with a team playing this well defensively is the safer approach.
Pick: Under 6.5 Goals
The Under 6.5 is the total pick. Minnesota’s first two games finished with four and five combined goals, and the Wild have surrendered only twice all season. Tampa Bay has enough offense to test that defense, but Minnesota doesn’t need or want this game played at a frantic pace. A 3-2 or 4-2 result fits the matchup and stays below the current number.
Final Picks: Minnesota Wild +1.5 and Under 6.5 Goals
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