NHL prediction: Minnesota Wild vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Minnesota Wild
Columbus Blue JacketsMinnesota Wild host Columbus Blue Jackets at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul on October 18. Minnesota is fifth in the Western Conference with 11 points from eight games, three points behind the leader; Columbus sits 15th with four points.
Minnesota Wild: productive attack with a vulnerable defensive layer
Recent form and home profile
Minnesota has won three of its last five games. The Wild scored in every game and conceded in each, including four against St. Louis in their latest home outing.
Across eight games this season, Minnesota has scored 26 goals and allowed 20. Goals conceded have ranged from one against Florida to five against Winnipeg.
Strengths, weaknesses and lineup status
Minnesota’s scoring has covered for defensive concessions, particularly at home.
Kaprizov missed practice through illness but is expected to play, while Hughes rested and should also be available. Marcus Foligno, Nick Foligno, Spurgeon and Maatta are not expected to dress; Sturm will miss the game and must clear concussion-protocol checks before returning to skating, according to media reports. These absences reduce Minnesota’s defensive and checking options, while Kaprizov’s expected availability preserves its main attacking threat.
- St. Louis Blueshome5:4
- Winnipeg Jetsaway2:5
- Vegas Golden Knightshome4:2
- Florida Panthersaway4:1
- Tampa Bay Lightningaway2:3
Columbus Blue Jackets: open games and a weakened defensive group
Results, scoring rhythm and road concerns
Columbus has won two of its last five games and lost three. The Blue Jackets scored in every game, but their current two-game losing run brought 12 goals against: five at St. Louis and seven at home to Florida.
Four of those five games were at home, where Columbus recorded two wins and two losses. Its only away game in that stretch ended in a 3:5 defeat by St. Louis.
Personnel balance and tactical pressure
Columbus has produced three or more goals in recent games, but repeated breakdowns behind the puck have undermined that output. Save percentage, power-play efficiency and penalty-kill efficiency are unavailable.
MacDonald is out with a lower-body injury, while Fabbro has an upper-body injury, Provorov a lower-body injury and Lundestrom an Achilles injury, according to media reports. Three unavailable defensemen limit matchup and penalty-killing options; Lundestrom’s absence removes a center.
- Florida Panthershome3:7
- St. Louis Bluesaway3:5
- Pittsburgh Penguinshome3:2
- Utah Mammothhome1:4
- Buffalo Sabreshome6:3
Head-to-head record favors Minnesota
Minnesota has won seven of the ten official meetings over the last five years, with Columbus winning three. Across the eight recent meetings, the teams averaged 6.25 total goals; Minnesota scored at least three in six and won six, including the latest encounter, a 5:2 away victory in December 2025.
Columbus won 5:4 and 7:4 on two recent visits to Minnesota, while the Wild’s other victories included 3:1, 3:2 and 5:2 scorelines. Minnesota’s historical advantage has not prevented high-scoring home defeats.
- 19.12.2025Columbus Blue Jackets2:5Minnesota WildNHL
- 12.10.2025Minnesota Wild4:7Columbus Blue JacketsNHL
- 19.10.2024Columbus Blue Jackets1:3Minnesota WildNHL
- 11.10.2024Minnesota Wild3:2Columbus Blue JacketsNHL
- 07.01.2024Columbus Blue Jackets3:4Minnesota WildNHL
News affecting the game plan
No full starting lineup or starting goaltender has been confirmed for either team. Without goaltending announcements, the effect of the defensive absences remains difficult to separate from the likely performance in net.
Our prediction
Our pick is W1 1.88 in regulation time. Minnesota has the stronger competitive position: 11 points from eight games against Columbus’ four, while the Wild have won three of their last five and scored in all five. Minnesota has scored in all five of its last games, which can expose Columbus’ current defensive problems.
According to media reports, Columbus will be without MacDonald, Fabbro, Provorov and Lundestrom, leaving a weakened defensive group after 12 goals conceded across its two-match losing streak. Minnesota also has absences, including Foligno, Spurgeon, Sturm and Määttä, but Kaprizov and Hughes are expected to be available. The head-to-head edge is clear: seven Minnesota wins in the last ten meetings, with at least three Wild goals in six of the last eight. The likely score is 4:2 to Minnesota.
Conclusion
W1 1.88 is supported by Minnesota’s home scoring, the 7–3 advantage in recent head-to-head wins and Columbus’ depleted defense.
FAQ
When does Minnesota Wild — Columbus Blue Jackets kick off?
The match starts on 18.10.2026 at 18:00 (New York), Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul).
What is the prediction for Minnesota Wild — Columbus Blue Jackets?
Our pick is W1 at 1.88.
What are the teams’ chances?
By market estimate: Minnesota Wild win — 50%, draw — 22%, Columbus Blue Jackets win — 28%.
Chances by market estimate
Team form
- St. Louis Blueshome5:4
- Winnipeg Jetsaway2:5
- Vegas Golden Knightshome4:2
- Florida Panthersaway4:1
- Tampa Bay Lightningaway2:3
- Florida Panthershome3:7
- St. Louis Bluesaway3:5
- Pittsburgh Penguinshome3:2
- Utah Mammothhome1:4
- Buffalo Sabreshome6:3
Standings · Western Conference
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | Goals | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Colorado Avalanche | 8 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 36:24 | 11 |
| 5 | Minnesota Wild | 8 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 26:20 | 11 |
| 6 | Seattle Kraken | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 32:23 | 11 |
Head-to-head
- 19.12.2025Columbus Blue Jackets2:5Minnesota WildNHL
- 12.10.2025Minnesota Wild4:7Columbus Blue JacketsNHL
- 19.10.2024Columbus Blue Jackets1:3Minnesota WildNHL
- 11.10.2024Minnesota Wild3:2Columbus Blue JacketsNHL
- 07.01.2024Columbus Blue Jackets3:4Minnesota WildNHL
About the match
- 18 October · 18:00 New York
- Venue: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul)
Odds
Odds updated 17.10 18:10
Market view and goal-line signals
The 1X2 market assigns Minnesota a 50.5% implied probability, the draw 21.8% and Columbus 27.8%. Movement favors the home win and runs against the away win. Minnesota’s defensive absences and Columbus’s scoring output temper that home preference.
Over 5.5 goals carries a 57.2% probability against 42.8% for Under, although movement favors Under. BTTS (both teams to score) is priced at an 87.2% probability, with movement also toward the opposite side.
The teams’ combined 36 goals conceded across their respective last five games favor Over 5.5 as the betting angle, despite the movement toward Under.
Our prediction
- Market
- W1
- Current odds
- 1.88
- Confidence
- Our estimate
- 51%
- Market estimate
- 50%
- Stake amount
- 100 $ · 1.88
- Potential win
- 88 $
- Status
- pending
