| MATCHUP | Minnesota Wild | Columbus Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 21-9-5 | 14-14-6 |
| Where | Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH | |
| When | Thursday, December 18, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Thursday in NHL action at the Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Minnesota Wild vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction. This article will include a Minnesota Wild vs Columbus Blue Jackets Pick.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild beat the Capitals and Bruins, and they play the Oilers next. The Wild have won 5 straight games.
The Minnesota Wild are averaging 2.97 goals per game and are scoring 23.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Kaprizov leads Minnesota with 21 goals, Matt Boldy has 19 assists and Joel Eriksson Ek has 99 shots on goal. Defensively, the Minnesota Wild are allowing 2.53 goals per game and are killing 79 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Filip Gustavsson has allowed 55 goals on 626 shots faced, and Jesper Wallstedt has given up 24 goals on 379 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Golden Knights, beat the Ducks, and play the Ducks next. The Blue Jackets have lost 9 of their last 12 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.91 goals per game and are scoring 18.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Dmitri Voronkov leads Columbus with 12 goals, Zach Werenski has 25 assists and Kirill Marchenko has 88 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.45 goals per game and are killing 72.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 58 goals on 610 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 50 goals on 412 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Blue Jackets have won four of their last five games as home underdogs after coming off overtime.
- The Wild have lost four of their last six games as road favorites following a win.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in 14 of their last 15 games as home underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games as road favorites following a win.
- The Wild have lost the third period in five of their last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The favorites have won each of the Blue Jackets’ last seven games.
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last six games as home underdogs.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in each of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games at Nationwide Arena.
- The Wild have won the first period in each of their last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Wild’s last seven games at Nationwide Arena following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Blue Jackets’ last six home games after coming off overtime have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in 20 of the Wild’s last 21 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 12 of the Blue Jackets’ last 13 games at Nationwide Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Sean Monahan has scored at least one goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games against Central Division opponents at Nationwide Arena.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 10 of the Blue Jackets’ last 11 games at Nationwide Arena.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one point in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 11 games at Nationwide Arena.
- Kirill Marchenko has scored three goals against the Wild this season – most against any opponent.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in six of his last seven appearances with the Wild as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against the Blue Jackets.
- Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against the Blue Jackets.
- Yakov Trenin is the only player in the league to have recorded 5+ hits in four or more consecutive appearances this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have suffered the equal-most losses when tied or leading after Period 1 this season (14).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have suffered the equal-most losses when tied or leading after Period 2 this season (11).
- The Minnesota Wild have recorded the equal-most wins by a margin of 5+ goals this season (3).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 31st in the league in penalty minutes this season (231).
Minnesota Wild vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
The Blue Jackets got a win over the Ducks to stop the bleeding, but they’ve still been one of the worst teams in the league over the last month. Meanwhile, the Wild are pilling up the victories with an offense that can’t stop putting the puck in the back of the net. The Wild have also won 7 of the last 10 games against the Blue Jackets. Two teams heading in different directions, and the price is more than fair. I have to side with the Wild.