Minnesota Wild vs Seattle Kraken Prediction, 1/8/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Seattle Kraken

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Location: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA

TV: Kraken Hockey Network

The Seattle Kraken (20-14-7) will go up against the Minnesota Wild (25-11-8) at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday.

The Minnesota Wild will look for better times on the ice after their 4-2 defeat to the Kings their last time on the ice. Minnesota garnered 4 penalty minutes in this outing. In addition, they had 6 chances on the power play and scored 1 goal. The Wild had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the defeat. For the matchup, they earned a goal on 2 out of the 35 shots they looked to score on.

Minnesota Wild opponents have tallied 104 power play opportunities (31st in hockey) and have scored 24 goals in those attempts. The Wild thus far have had 1,311 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .912. Minnesota has taken 1,250 shots and has a shot percentage of 11.0%. While at even strength, the Wild have allowed 92 goals while getting 104 of their own. Minnesota has accumulated 147 power play opportunities and they have scored 33 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 22.45%. For the season, they have earned 58 points and their points percentage sits at .659. In relation to their goal scoring prowess, the Minnesota Wild have accumulated 137 goals (10th in hockey) for the year and have given up 116.

The player between the pipes for this game is Jesper Wallstedt. For his professional hockey career, Wallstedt has tallied 14 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .636. His save percentage currently is at .916 in his 308 mins guarding the cage. Wallstedt has had 679 shots taken against him and he has 622 total saves. Opponents have racked up 57 goals versus Wallstedt in his NHL career and his goals against average per game is 2.59. He has a record of 13-5-4 and he was named the starter in 22 games. Wallstedt has been in net for 22 games during his professional hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Seattle faced the Bruins in a game where the Kraken notched a victory by a final score of 7-4. They had 4 chances on the power play in this contest and scored 3 out of those opportunities. The Kraken scored 7 goals out of the 27 shots on goal they pursued.

Seattle has tried 1,069 shots (29th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.66%, while allowing the other team 1,209 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 70.43% on their opponents 115 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently comes in at 90.4%. They have earned 119 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 22.69%. The Kraken have accumulated 87 goals at even strength and 27 goals (13th in the league) while on the power play. They have allowed 116 goals to be scored by way of 82 goals at even strength and 34 goals while they were shorthanded. On the campaign, the Seattle Kraken are sitting with 114 goals, 47 points, in addition to a points percentage of .573.

Across the ice you are likely to see Joey Daccord in goal. Daccord has earned a career mark of 61-59-23 and has been in goal for 152 contests. Daccord's rate of quality starts sits at 57.7% and he has 82 quality starts in his NHL career. He has gathered 3,816 stops out of the 4,215 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .905. Opponents are averaging 2.81 goals per contest and he has relinquished 399 goals altogether. He has made the start in 142 games and has been on the ice for 6,741 mins.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Seattle

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