Preview: Wild vs. Penguins

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By Zoe Fiedler
Wild.com

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- The Wild comes home today, returning to home ice at Xcel Energy Center to do battle against the Penguins. The Wild arrives in Saint Paul after a 1-1 trip to the Pacific Northwest.

Today marks a significant day for one member of the Wild in particular, as goaltender Marc-André Fleury is projected to play in his final start ever against the team with which he celebrated three Stanley Cup wins.

Info for Tonight's Game:

Wild Record: 36-23-4, 76 points, 4th in Central Division

Penguins Record: 24-31-10, 58 points, 8th in Metropolitan Division

2024-25 Series Record: 1-0-0

All-Time Wild Record: 16-16-2 (7-7-2 at Xcel Energy Center)

Stats Comparison

Team Stats
PIT
MIN
Power Play
23.9%
20.3%
Penalty Kill
78.7%
70.2%
Faceoff
52.3%
46.9%
Goals For / Games Played
2.82
2.79
Goals Against / Games Played
3.63
2.86

This Season on Wild vs. Penguins

The Wild won the series-opening game, 5-3, in Pittsburgh (10/29).

C Freddy Gaudreau (2-1=3) and LW Kirill Kaprizov (1-2=3) led Minnesota with three points each. G Marc-André Fleury saved 26-of-29 shots faced to earn the victory for the Wild.

C Sidney Crosby led the Penguins with three points (0-3=3). RW Rickard Rakell scored two goals (2-0=2). G Joel Blomqvist stopped 35-of-39 shots faced for Pittsburgh.

Last Time Out

Minnesota was defeated by the Canucks in Vancouver on Friday night. D Brock Faber scored the lone goal for the Wild, assisted by C Marco Rossi and LW Matt Boldy.

MIN at VAN | Recap

Wild Leaders Against Penguins

  • LW Marcus Johansson leads Minnesota with 24 points (10-14=24) in 43 career games against Pittsburgh
  • C Gustav Nyquist (12-11=23 in 28 games) and RW Mats Zuccarello (7-16=23 in 36 games) each have 23 career points against the Penguins
  • D Zach Bogosian has 13 points (4-9=13) in 32 games

Penguins Leaders Against Wild

  • Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 38 points (12-26=38) in 25 career games against Minnesota
  • D Erik Karlsson owns 35 points (9-26=35) in 30 games
  • C Evgeni Malkin owns 26 points (11-15=26) in 21 matches
  • D Kris Letang (4-15=19 in 23 contests) and Rakell (13-6=19 in 33 games) own 19 points each

Recent Transactions

3/7/25

Traded F Reese Johnson to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for future considerations

3/6/25

Acquired F Justin Brazeau from the Boston Bruins in exchange for F Marat Khusnutdinov and F Jakub Lauko and a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, originally acquired from Boston

3/1/25

Acquired F Gustav Nyquist from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL DraftNashville retained 50% of Nyquist’s salary

Recalled D David Jiricek from Iowa

Assigned F Marat Khusnutdinov to Iowa

Reassigned F Liam Öhgren to Iowa

2/27/25

Recalled F Brendan Gaunce from Iowa

2/26/25

Acquired F Tyler Madden from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for D Joseph Cecconi

D Travis Dermott claimed off waivers by Edmonton Oilers

To view recent transactions, visit wild.com/transactions.

On the Mend

Jonas Brodin: lower-body injury (three game missed)

Joel Eriksson Ek: lower-body injury (six games missed)

Kirill Kaprizov: lower-body injury (14 games missed)

Connections

  • Minnesota President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin totaled 57 points (26-31=57) in 95 games with Pittsburgh in two seasons (2008-10), winning the Stanley Cup in 2009. Guerin spent eight seasons in the Penguins’ front office (2011-19), including five seasons (2014-19) as Assistant General Manager where he won two more Stanley Cups (2016, 2017)
  • Minnesota Head Coach John Hynes served as Head Coach of Wilkes-Barre Scranton for five seasons (2010-15) and one season as an Assistant Coach (2009-10). Hynes led Wilkes-Barre to a record of 231-126-27 in 384 games (.636) and five consecutive appearances in the Calder Cup Playoffs as Head Coach
  • Fleury was selected by the Penguins first overall in the 2003 NHL Draft and went 375-216-68 with a 2.58 GAA, a .912 SV% and 44 shutouts in 691 career games (667 starts) in 13 seasons (2003-17). He posted a 62-51 record with a 2.65 GAA, a .908 SV% and 10 shutouts in 115 career playoff contests (113 starts) with Pittsburgh and win the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016 and 2017
  • Gaudreau collected 10 points (2-8=10) in 19 games with the Penguins in 2020-21
  • Gustavsson was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round (55th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft
  • Crosby played at Shattuck St. Mary’s (2002-03)
  • F Vinnie Hinostroza played in 14 games for Pittsburgh during the 2023-24 season, posting three points (1-2=3)
  • C Connor Dewar was drafted by Minnesota in the third round (No. 92 overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft and collected 38 points (18-20=38) in 173 across three seasons (2021-24) win the Wild
  • C Tommy Novak played four seasons at the University of Minnesota (2015-19) and played high school hockey at St. Thomas Acadamy
  • C Blake Lizotte is from Lindstrom and played two seasons at St. Cloud State University (2017-19)

Fast Facts

  • The Wild and Penguins have each scored 104 goals in the all-time series

For more information on today's matchup, check out the game notes below.

3.9 MIN vs. PIT Game Notes
- 0.9 MB
Download 3.9 MIN vs. PIT Game Notes

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