Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings Pick and Prediction for Monday January 5, 2026
The Minnesota Wild are traveling to Los Angeles to face the Kings at crypto.com Arena. The game has a puck drop time of 10:30 PM and will be available to stream on ESPN+. This Western Conference battle marks the second game of a back-to-back set between these two clubs in Southern California, as both teams fight for critical points in the early 2026 standings. For more great NHL picks, find our free NHL picks.
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Minnesota Looks to Avenge Shootout Loss
The Minnesota Wild enter this contest with an impressive season record of 25-10-8. They have been one of the most consistent teams in the NHL, as evidenced by their 7-1-2 record over their last ten games. However, they are looking to get back into the win column after a hard-fought 5-4 shootout loss to these same Los Angeles Kings on January 3. Despite that narrow defeat, the Wild remain a powerhouse on the road this season with a 12-6-3 record away from home.
On the stat sheet, Minnesota averages 3.14 goals for per game while surrendering 2.61. Their power play has been a significant strength, converting at a 22.7% rate, while their penalty kill operates at a 76.7% success rate. The Wild average 28.3 shots on goal per game and allow 29.7 to their opponents. Their disciplined structure and ability to limit high-danger chances have kept them at the top of the Central Division for much of the season.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
Between the pipes, the Wild feature one of the league's strongest tandems in F. Gustavsson and J. Wallstedt. Gustavsson has posted 14 wins, 8 losses, and 4 overtime losses with 3 shutouts, a 2.45 GAA, and a .912 save percentage. The rookie Wallstedt has been equally impressive, recording 11 wins, 2 losses, and 4 overtime losses with 4 shutouts, a 2.30 GAA, and a .928 save percentage.
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No injuries reported.
Kings Aim for Season Sweep in Homestand
The Los Angeles Kings come into Monday’s game with an overall record of 17-14-9. They are looking to build on the momentum of their 5-4 shootout victory over the Wild on Saturday, which served as a crucial bounce-back win following a frustrating loss to Tampa Bay. Despite their overall record, the Kings have struggled to maintain a winning environment at crypto.com Arena, currently holding a 6-9-4 record on home ice.
From a team stats perspective, the Kings average 2.63 goals for and 2.65 goals against per game. Their power play has been a point of struggle, ranking in the bottom third of the league at 16.1%, but they have been more reliable on the penalty kill with a 77.8% success rate. Los Angeles plays a heavy, puck-possession style, averaging 28.2 shots on goal per game and limiting opponents to just 26.9 shots against.
In goal, the Kings rely on the veteran duo of D. Kuemper and A. Forsberg. Kuemper has shouldered the majority of the workload, posting 11 wins, 7 losses, and 6 overtime losses with 2 shutouts, a 2.33 GAA, and a .911 save percentage. Forsberg has provided capable relief with 6 wins, 6 losses, and 3 overtime losses, carrying a 2.70 GAA and a .901 save percentage.
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Trevor Moore (LW): Day-To-Day - Est. Return Jan 5
Analysis & Betting Picks
Moneyline: Minnesota Wild (EVEN)
After dropping the first game of this set in a shootout, expect a focused Minnesota team to respond. The Wild have the better season résumé and significantly more reliable goaltending depth. Los Angeles has been vulnerable at home all season, and Minnesota’s top-tier power play is likely to find more success in the rematch. Taking the Wild at even money provides excellent value for one of the league’s most balanced rosters.
Total: Under 5.5 (+105)
While their previous meeting saw nine total goals, that result was an outlier for two teams that rank in the top ten for goals-against average. Both the Kings and Wild prioritize defensive structure and have elite starting goaltenders capable of stealing games. With both teams now familiar with each other's schemes after playing 48 hours ago, look for a much tighter, lower-scoring affair that stays under the total.
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