NHL: Lightning vs. Wild Picks and Odds | March 3, 2026
Written by: Nick Zanghi
Published: Tue Mar 03, 2026, 2:42 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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We have two powerhouse teams taking the ice tonight. The Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena. This will be the first of two matchups between these teams this season.
Minnesota is 35-16-10 this season and third in the Central Division. They come into this game on a two-game losing streak after a loss to the Blues on Sunday. The Wild are 7-2-1 in their last ten games and are 17-7-7 at home this year.
It's tough being good and in the Central Division. It is so talented that the top three spots are all separated by seven points while the fourth spot is fourteen points behind. They are only a game out of second place, so things are looking good.
The team welcomes back three gold medal Olympians in Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber and Matt Boldy. Every player had their part in that gold medal run, but Boldy and Hughes were right in the thick of it.
Goalie Filip Gustavsson is expected to start. He is 21-10-6 this season with a 2.55 GAA and .910 save percentage. Gustavsson also participated in the Olympics, representing his home country of Sweden.
Check out the odds for this matchup and other NHL games at the best online sportsbooks.
Tampa Bay looks to keep cruising their way to the playoffs
Lightning players celebrate together after forward Brandon Hagel scores a goal.
The Lightning are 38-16-4 this season and are first in the Atlantic Division. They come into this game on a two-game losing streak after a loss to the Sabres on Saturday. Tampa Bay is 7-3-0 in their last ten games and 19-6-4 on the road.
This team has really turned things up going into the Olympic break. Dropping the last two games hurts, especially against a division rival. But they move, they'll survive and this is a possible get right spot.
Tampa ranks second in the league for goals scored and are fifteenth in the league for shots on goal per game. They are third in shooting percentage, so those shots are counting. Surprisingly, they're only fourteenth on the power play, but still good.
On defense, they're really good. They rank second in goals allowed and ninth in shots on goal allowed per game. The Lightning don't play smart hockey and commit the most penalties per game in the league. Luckily, they have the fifth best penalty kill to back it up.
In net, we're expected to see Andrei Vasilevskiy. He is 28-8-3 this season with a 2.18 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Let's check out the odds and get into the Lightning vs. Wild picks.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Odds and Game Information
Lightning vs. Wild Betting Odds – March 3
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -1.5 (+180) | -130 | Over 6.5 (+115) |
| Minnesota Wild | +1.5 (-235) | +110 | Under 6.5 (-135) |
Odds courtesy of Lucky Rebel – Get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 Slot Spins when you sign up
Lightning vs. Wild Game Information
- Venue: Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul, MN
- Date: Tuesday March 3, 2026
- Puck Drop: 9:30 p.m. EST
- TV: TNT, The Spot, TruTV
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild Picks and Prediction
Wild forwards Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprisov discuss the play before the faceoff.
Lightning vs. Wild Picks and Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline (-130) Get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 Slot Spins when you sign up with Lucky Rebel
This is going to be a great game between two great teams. I'm giving the edge to the Lightning though on the moneyline. In the end, they have the better defense with a strong goaltender, and they play great on the road.
Minnesota will put up a hell of a fight, and the game could go to overtime. I think we see a lot of scoring, probably a bunch of back-and-forth scoring. Tampa could take advantage on that Minnesota defense though and have their way with them.
I like for Gustavsson to get over his saves line. It should drop around 27-28 saves and this guy's going to get peppered. The Wild are already allowing 31 shots on goal per game and then an offense like the Lightning will just light you up (for lack of a better term lol).
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Nick Zanghi
Nick Zanghi is an avid hockey fan who loves to bet on the NHL Props. He has also found a liking for the WNBA. Born and raised on LI, NZ is a lifelong Islanders #isles fan and a new NY Liberty fan #LIGHTITUPNYL. When not watching or attending sporting events, he enjoys grilling and time with his wife and kids.
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