Minnesota Wild vs Columbus Blue Jackets, Picks and Prediction, Thursday, December 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Minnesota Wild face the Columbus Blue Jackets, with both teams heading in opposite directions this season. The Wild have a 20-9-5 record and five wins in a row have them in third place in the Central Division and only 10 points back of the best record in the NHL. The Blue Jackets have a 14-13-6 record, and with only three wins in their last 10 games, they have the worst record in the Metropolitan Division. Who will win this game? Check out our Wild vs Blue Jackets prediction!
Stay out of the penalty box! Choose our NHL Predictions and hoist the Cup!
Minnesota is red-hot
The Wild are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 2.97 goals per game, with 23 goals in their last five games. Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov have scored 40 goals and 36 assist,s while recent addition Quinn Hughes has made an immediate impact with a goal and assist from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up lately but the defense has carried the Wild all season, allowing only 2.53 goals per game with only seven goals in the last five games. Brock Faber and Jared Spurgeon have combined for 4.2 defensive point shares, while Zach Bogosian and Quinn Hughes have combined for 1.5 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. Additionally, goaltender Jesper Wallstedt has been lights out, allowing only eight goals in his last five starts.
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Key injury report for the Wild
- Mats Zuccarello (upper body) is on injured reserve. Has two goals and 10 assists.
- Jonas Brodin is on injured reserve. Is a key part of the defense.
- Jacob Middleton (upper body) started skating this week. Is a key part of the defense.
Blue Jackets have struggled on both ends of the ice
The Blue Jackets are falling apart with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.91 goals per game with only 10 goals in the last five games. Kirill Marchenko, Dmitry Voronkov, and Adam Fantilli have scored 35 goals and 51 assists while defenseman Zach Werenski has 11 goals and 25 assists from the point but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five skaters have seven goals or more, and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let the Blue Jackets down, allowing 3.45 goals per game with 16 goals in the last four games. Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov have combined for 4.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. Additionally, goaltender Jett Greaves has struggled in recent starts, allowing 11 goals in his last four.
Key injury report for Blue Jackets
- No key injuries to report.
Wild vs Blue Jackets Pick
Money Line Pick For Wild vs Blue Jackets
- Wild (-110) (4 units)
The Wild have looked unstoppable since the Quinn Hughes addition, and I see them taking over this game from the first period. The Wild, who have scored 23 goals in the last five games, should pile on the goals against the Blue Jackets, who have allowed 16 goals in their last four games, with Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Wild, who have allowed only seven goals in their last five games, should limit the Blue Jackets' offense with Brock Faber, Quinn Hughes, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to make plenty of big saves. The Wild should win the game with a dominant performance on the road.
Take the Wild money line as road Favorites.
Over/Under Pick For Wild vs Blue Jackets
- Under 6.5 (5 Units)
The Wild have looked great offensively in recent games but I see their defense, which has been dominant all season, taking over and making this game a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Blue Jackets should limit the Wild offense with Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov creating turnovers while limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Jet Greaves to make plenty of big saves in the net. The Wild should eliminate and potentially shut out the Blue Jackets, who have scored only 10 goals in their last five games, with Jesper Wallstedt building off of five starts where he’s allowed only three goals and blanking the shots on the net while defensemen Brock Faber and Quinn Hughes create turnovers in front of him. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6.5 goals.
The Wild are riding high following the Quinn Hughes trade and look to keep their winning streak alive as they face the Blue Jackets.
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