Minnesota Wild vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, 1/3/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Los Angeles Kings

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026

Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Fanduel Sports Network West

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (-145) Kings (+125)

Crypto.com Arena is the location where the Los Angeles Kings (16-13-9) will compete against the Minnesota Wild (24-10-7) on Saturday. The moneyline on this contest has the Wild at -145 while the Kings open at +125. The over/under is set at 6.5.

The Minnesota Wild had a decent effort after finishing in a 3-3 tie against the Sharks in their previous outing. Minnesota accrued 2 minutes in the box in this contest. They also had 1 power play opportunity but didn't convert it into a score. The Wild were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in this game. In the matchup, they scored on 3 out of the 23 shots they launched.

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While at even strength, the Wild have given up 83 goals while having 96 as an offensive unit. Minnesota Wild opponents have recorded 99 power play tries (31st in professional hockey) and have a total of 23 goals in those chances. When it comes to scoring goals, the Minnesota Wild have earned 126 goals (10th in the National Hockey League) for the season and have conceded 106. Minnesota has attempted 1,153 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.9%. For the current campaign, they have tallied 55 points and their points percentage is sitting at .671. The Wild so far have had 1,212 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .913. Minnesota skates onto the rink with 133 power play opportunities and they have added 30 goals out of those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 22.56%.

The man in goal for this game is Jesper Wallstedt. Over the course of his pro career, Wallstedt has 14 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .667. His save percentage is at .917 during his 306 mins guarding the cage. Wallstedt has had 641 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 588 saves. The opposition has notched 53 goals versus Wallstedt in his NHL career and his goals against average is 2.52. He has amassed a record of 13-5-3 and he started in 21 games. Wallstedt has participated in 21 matchups over the course of his hockey career.

The last time they were on the ice, Los Angeles went up against the Avalanche in an outing where the Kings ended up losing by a final of 5-2. They had 3 power play attempts in this matchup and recorded 1 out of those chances. The Kings had 2 goals out of the 25 shots on goal they took.

On the season, the Los Angeles Kings have earned a total of 98 goals, 41 points, in addition to a points percentage of .539. They have permitted 97 goals to be scored by way of 69 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they were shorthanded. The Kings are sitting with 81 goals at even strength and 17 goals (31st in the league) while on the power play. They have earned 118 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 14.41%. Los Angeles has attempted 1,070 shots (21st in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.16%, while allowing the other team 1,024 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 78.29% on their opponents 129 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 90.5%.

Across the ice you will find Darcy Kuemper defending the net. Teams are averaging 2.50 goals per contest and he has relinquished 1,104 goals in total. Kuemper's quality start rate comes in at 56.7% and he has qualified for 250 quality starting assignments in his career. He has made the start in 441 games and has played 23,323 mins. Kuemper is sitting with a lifetime record of 219-152-59 and has been in goal for 462 games. He is sitting with 11,849 saves out of the 12,953 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .915.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles (+125)

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