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Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Predictions – January 2, 2026
The Minnesota Wild head west to face the Anaheim Ducks Friday night at Honda Center. Puck drops at 10:00 p.m. ET in what feels like a momentum game for both teams. Minnesota is finally finding some rhythm under new leadership, while Anaheim continues to rebuild and experiment with line chemistry through growing pains.
The Wild sit just outside a Wild Card spot and need to capitalize on games like this. Anaheim, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference, is trying to salvage some positives in a development-heavy season. The line reflects that urgency — Minnesota is favored on the road at -126, while Anaheim sits at +107. The puck line prices show a big split: Wild -1.5 at +193, Ducks +1.5 at -237. The total is set at 6.5, slightly above average, likely due to defensive inconsistency on both sides.
For bettors, the value here might not be where you’d expect — especially when factoring in rest, goaltending, and some potential edges in pace of play. If you’re new to betting totals or spreads in hockey, it’s worth brushing up with this concise guide to hockey betting.
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Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks Odds
These are the current lines for Friday’s Western Conference matchup. As always, check the latest NHL odds closer to puck drop to monitor any market movement or lineup-related steam.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | -126 | -1.5 (+193) | O 6.5 (-110) |
| Anaheim Ducks | +107 | +1.5 (-237) | U 6.5 (-110) |
Minnesota Wild Betting Form
After a rough start, the Wild are showing signs of life. They’ve won five of their last eight games and are finally playing to their strengths — a structured forecheck, gritty board battles, and strong net-front presence. Kirill Kaprizov is heating up with six goals in his last seven, while Matt Boldy has brought some balance to the second line. The Wild have moved back toward a more north-south style that suits their current roster.
That said, they’re still a mixed bag for bettors. On the road, Minnesota is 8–10 straight up and just 3–6 against the puck line in their last nine away games. What makes this matchup intriguing is their recent offensive uptick: they’ve scored 3+ goals in six of their last seven outings. That makes the Over a viable angle, especially against a Ducks team that struggles in their own zone.
Defensively, the Wild are giving up too many odd-man rushes. Special teams have been mediocre — their penalty kill sits middle-of-the-pack, and the power play is streaky. In goal, Filip Gustavsson is the likely starter, and while his numbers are just average (.903 SV%), he’s faced heavy shot volume lately.
Monitor the Minnesota Wild injury report closely, as key depth pieces have been in and out of the lineup all week. You can also explore deeper trends on the Minnesota Wild team page.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Form
Anaheim has been one of the worst teams in the league to back at the window, both straight up and ATS. They’ve lost eight of their last ten and have been outscored by a wide margin during that stretch. Still, they’ve been a scrappy first-period team, often starting well before falling apart defensively in the second and third.
Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish are developing, but the Ducks’ lack of veteran consistency makes it tough to trust them in full-game bets. Their power play ranks bottom five, and their PK hasn’t helped much either. What keeps Anaheim slightly competitive is the play of Lukas Dostal — but even that has dipped recently.
At home, the Ducks are just 7–13 SU, and even worse against the puck line when listed as underdogs of +100 or shorter. The defensive zone coverage has been a mess, often forcing their goaltender to make 30+ saves just to keep things close.
Keep an eye on the Anaheim Ducks injury report, as they’ve been rotating defensive pairs and juggling the bottom six. For stats, recent scores, and schedule trends, hit the Anaheim Ducks team page.
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Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks Matchup Breakdown
This is one of those games where the records and betting trends align. Minnesota is the more complete team and has more to play for. Anaheim’s young core makes them exciting in spurts, but their inconsistency — especially on the back end — is glaring.
Here’s how the matchup breaks down:
- 5-on-5 Play: Minnesota holds the edge in expected goals, shot share, and forecheck pressure.
- Goaltending: Gustavsson has a higher ceiling than Dostal, especially when supported by shot-blocking and structured zone exits.
- Special Teams: Neither team is elite, but the Wild’s units have been more timely, especially on the road.
- Motivation: The Wild are pushing for a playoff spot. Anaheim is playing out the string.
This is also the kind of matchup where value can be found in alternative markets. With the Wild puck line priced generously at +193, those willing to take the risk could find big returns. If you’re unsure about how puck lines work, read up on handicap betting to understand the risk-reward dynamic.
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Open
vs
Jan 02, 2026 20:10 EST
–
Score
–
-1.50 +165
Spread
+1.50 -200
o+5.50-110
Total
u+5.50-110
-161
Moneyline
+130
Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks Predictions and Best Bets
Minnesota on the moneyline is playable but fairly priced at -126. That number reflects the Wild’s edge in talent and current form but bakes in some concern about their road play. Anaheim is just too unreliable to back with confidence, even at plus money.
The puck line is worth considering. The Wild have the ability to bury teams with poor defensive structure — and Anaheim checks that box. If Gustavsson plays well and Minnesota gets up early, the Ducks don’t have the depth to push back.
The total of 6.5 is high but reasonable. Given both teams’ defensive lapses and recent scoring trends, the Over is live. But if you’re going that route, check out our alternate total points guide for ideas on splitting risk or playing laddered totals.
Best Bet: Minnesota Wild -1.5 (+193)
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