The Minnesota Wild (20-9-5) will aim to extend a five-game win streak when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-13-6) on the road on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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Here is our pick for who will claim the victory in Thursday's matchup.
The Blue Jackets have gone 3-4-3 over the last 10 contests, scoring 30 total goals (six power-play goals on 28 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 21.4%). They have given up 36 goals to their opponents.
Wild vs. Blue Jackets Predictions for Thursday
Our computer projections model for this matchup expects a final result of Blue Jackets 4, Wild 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Blue Jackets (+101)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Blue Jackets (+1.5)
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Wild Splits and Trends
- The Wild (20-9-5 overall) have a 6-5-11 record in contests that have needed overtime.
- Minnesota has 14 points (5-1-4) in the 10 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
- In the seven games this season the Wild registered only one goal, they went 1-4-2 (four points).
- Minnesota has taken seven points from the seven games this season when it scored exactly two goals (3-3-1 record).
- The Wild are 16-2-2 in the 20 games when they have scored at least three goals (to register 34 points).
- In the 12 games when Minnesota has scored a lone power-play goal, it registered 16 points after finishing 7-3-2.
- In the 13 games when it outshot its opponent, Minnesota is 7-3-3 (17 points).
- The Wild's opponents have had more shots in 20 games. The Wild went 12-6-2 in those matchups (26 points).
Blue Jackets Splits and Trends
- The Blue Jackets have a 14-13-6 record this season and are 7-6-13 in games that have required overtime.
- Columbus has earned 17 points (6-5-5) in its 16 games decided by one goal.
- This season the Blue Jackets registered only one goal in nine games and have gone 1-6-2 (four points).
- Columbus failed to win all four games this season when it scored two goals.
- The Blue Jackets have scored three or more goals in 19 games, earning 30 points from those contests.
- Columbus has scored a lone power-play goal in 11 games this season and has recorded 15 points from those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Columbus is 7-7-3 (17 points).
- The Blue Jackets have been outshot by opponents 16 times this season, and earned 17 points in those games.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Wild Rank | Wild AVG | Blue Jackets AVG | Blue Jackets Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18th | 2.97 | Goals Scored | 2.91 | 21st |
| 2nd | 2.53 | Goals Allowed | 3.45 | 29th |
| 17th | 28.1 | Shots | 30 | 4th |
| 26th | 29.7 | Shots Allowed | 31 | 30th |
| 9th | 23.08% | Power Play % | 18.52% | 16th |
| 22nd | 79.01% | Penalty Kill % | 72.83% | 30th |
Wild vs. Blue Jackets Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
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