Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks Prediction, 1/2/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks

Date: Friday, January 2, 2026

Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, CA

TV: Victory+

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (-144) Ducks (+120)

Honda Center is the site where the Anaheim Ducks (21-15-2) will attempt to beat the Minnesota Wild (23-10-6) on Friday. The line on this contest has the Wild at -144 and the Ducks are opening at +120. The over/under is set at 6.

The Minnesota Wild were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-3 victory over the Jets their last time on the ice. Minnesota garnered 11 penalty mins in this matchup. In addition, they had 4 attempts on the power play and netted 1 goal. The Wild had a solid offensive performance and it showed in this win. For the game, they tallied a score on 4 out of the 19 shots they looked to score on.

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With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Minnesota Wild have notched 118 goals (13th in hockey) so far this season and have surrendered 101. For the current campaign, they have recorded 52 points and their points percentage comes in at .667. Minnesota skates onto the rink with 130 power play chances and they have added 30 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 23.08%. While playing at even strength, the Wild have given up 79 goals while earning 88 on offense. Minnesota has taken 1,103 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.7%. The Wild so far have had 1,168 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .914. Minnesota Wild opponents have totaled 96 power play opportunities (31st in hockey) and have notched 22 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Filip Gustavsson. In his career, Gustavsson has accumulated 115 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .622. His save percentage is .913 during his 9,017 minutes on the ice. Gustavsson has had 5,661 shots against him and he has 5,166 total saves. Opponents have racked up 495 goals versus Gustavsson in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.68. He has compiled an overall mark of 95-67-24 and he was named the starter in 185 games. Gustavsson has been involved in 193 games over the course of his pro hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Anaheim faced off against the Kings in a game where the Ducks ended up losing by a final of 6-1. They had 2 power play chances in this game and recorded 1 out of those tries. The Ducks recorded 1 goal of the 25 shots on goal they were seeking.

Anaheim has taken 1,168 shots (4th in the league) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.79%, while allowing the other team 1,096 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 75.40% on the other teams 126 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.0%. They have a total of 123 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 17.07%. The Ducks have racked up 105 goals at even strength and 21 goals (16th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have allowed 132 goals to be scored by way of 101 goals at even strength and 31 goals while they were shorthanded. On the campaign, the Anaheim Ducks have earned a total of 126 goals, 44 points, in addition to a points percentage of .579.

For the opposition you will find Lukas Dostal between the pipes. He has gathered 3,924 stops out of the 4,355 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .901. Dostal has accrued a lifetime record of 55-67-14 and has played in 144 contests. He has started in 130 games and has racked up 6,469 minutes. Dostal's quality start percentage sits at 54.6% and he has accumulated 71 quality starts in his pro hockey career. His opponents are averaging 3.32 goals per contest and he has allowed 431 goals overall.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Anaheim (+120) and under 6 goals

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