Minnesota Wild vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Pick & Prediction for 12/18

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The Minnesota Wild travel to Nationwide Arena to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. The game is set for Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+.

Minnesota holds a strong record of 20-9-5 this season. They rank third in both their conference and division. Columbus, with a record of 14-13-6, is looking to improve their standing in the Eastern Metropolitan Division.

Wild vs Blue Jackets Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: Minnesota Wild vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Venue: Nationwide Arena
  • Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Minnesota Wild MoneyLine -120, Columbus Blue Jackets MoneyLine +101

Minnesota Wild Team Preview

The Minnesota Wild have been on a winning streak, securing five victories in their last five games. Their recent win against the Washington Capitals was a strong 5-0 performance. Filip Gustavsson was solid in goal, stopping all 25 shots he faced.

Kirill Kaprizov is a key player for the Wild, with 21 goals and 17 assists in 34 games this season. Matt Boldy is another standout, matching Kaprizov with 38 points. Both players are crucial to the team’s offensive power.

On defense, Brock Faber leads the team with 72 blocks this season. Goalie Filip Gustavsson has 11 wins in 22 games, making 571 saves. The Wild’s defense ranks well, with only 79 goals against, placing them second in the league.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets recently secured a 4-3 victory against the Anaheim Ducks. Zach Werenski led the way with two goals and an assist. Boone Jenner also contributed with a goal and an assist, showcasing his skills on the ice.

In their previous game, the Blue Jackets fell short in a close 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Charlie Coyle found the net once, while Yegor Chinakhov also added a goal. Despite the loss, Columbus managed to put up 29 shots on goal.

Earlier in the month, Columbus faced a tough defeat against the Ottawa Senators, losing 6-3. Boone Jenner and Dante Fabbro each scored a goal for the Blue Jackets. Despite the setback, the team continues to fight hard in each game.

BTB Betting Pick

The Minnesota Wild are favored to win against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a moneyline of -120. The Wild have a better defensive ranking, with only 79 goals against compared to the Blue Jackets’ 108. The projected score is Minnesota 4, Columbus 3, making the Wild a safe pick to win straight up.

The total for the game is set at 6.0. With both teams showing solid offensive capabilities—Minnesota ranking 11th in goals and Columbus ranking 15th—the game could see a higher score. The projected total is 7, so the recommendation is to take the over at -115.