Wild vs Ducks Prediction 1/2/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Ducks prediction for this NHL game on Friday, January 2nd at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Minnesota Wild are 24-10-7 this season after they lost to San Jose in a shootout by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Minnesota trailed 3-1 in the third period, but they were able to tie the game, before losing in the shootout. The Wild were out shot by a total of 28-23, won 44.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Foligno, Tarasenko, and Zuccarello, while Wallstedt stopped 25 out of 28 shots, which was an .893 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Golden Knights by a score of 5-2 and the Jets by a score of 4-3. The Wild have won two of their last three games and they are currently third in the Central standings with 55 points. Minnesota has scored 3.07 goals per game and they have allowed 2.59 goals against per game, while also going 22.6% on the power play and 76.8% on the penalty kill this season. Matt Boldy has led Minnesota with 25 goals and 22 assists, while Kirill Kaprizov has added 23 goals and 24 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 13-8-4 with a 2.47 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this season. 

Anaheim Ducks Betting Preview

The Anaheim Ducks are 21-16-3 this year after they lost to Tampa Bay in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Anaheim trailed 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, but they managed to tie the game each time, before losing in overtime. The Ducks were out shot by a total of 29-28, won 61.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Anaheim got goals from Harkins, McTavish, and Sennecke, while Dostal stopped 25 out of 29 shots, which was an .862 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Anaheim lost to the Sharks by a score of 5-4 and the Kings by a score of 6-1. The Ducks have lost four games in a row and they are currently third in the Pacific standings with 45 points. Anaheim has scored 3.33 goals per game and they have allowed 3.53 goals against per game, while also going 17.1% on the power play and 75.6% on the penalty kill this season. Leo Carlsson has led Anaheim with 17 goals and 25 assists, while Cutter Gauthier has added 19 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Anaheim is Lukas Dostal, who is 13-9-2 with a 3.15 goals against average and an .888 save percentage this year. 

Why the Anaheim Ducks will win

• The underdogs have won three of the Wild’s last four games.
• The Wild have lost three of their last five games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in 15 of the Ducks’ last 17 games at Honda Center.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents.
• The Ducks have won the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Central Division opponents when leading after the second period.

Why the Minnesota Wild will win

• The Wild have won each of their last nine games at Honda Center.
• The Ducks have lost each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Wild have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 road games following a shootout loss.
• The Ducks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Ducks have lost the third period in six of their last seven games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Ten of the Ducks’ last 11 home games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Wild’s last four games as favorites following a shootout loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Ducks’ last 10 games at Honda Center.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last seven games as road favorites.

Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts

• Mikael Granlund has scored a goal in three of the Ducks’ last four night games at Honda Center.
• Jackson LaCombe has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Ducks’ last eight games against Western Conference opponents at Honda Center.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in four of the Wild’s last five games at Honda Center.
• Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Wild’s last five night games.

Wild vs Ducks Prediction 

Anaheim comes into this matchup looking to snap a four game losing streak, but they have allowed 18 goals during that span. The Ducks are 12-7-1 at home this year, while the Wild are 11-6-2 at home. Minnesota has won two of their last three and they have been very good on the road. The Wild have gone over 6.5 goals in three straight games, while the Ducks have gone over 6.5 goals in four of their last five. Anaheim has really struggled on defense, which should allow plenty of chances for the Wild. Take the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 6.5