Blue Jackets vs Wild Prediction, Best Bets & NHL Odds (Oct. 18)
By Juan Pablo Aravena in NHL Hockey
Published:
- Columbus visits Minnesota on Sunday at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul
- Minnesota’s 33.3% power play draws a Columbus penalty kill working at just 66.7%
- See my Blue Jackets vs Wild best bets, NHL odds and projected goalies below
The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Minnesota Wild on Sunday at Grand Casino Arena. The Wild sit third in the Central Division, while Columbus is 15th in the Eastern Conference.
Minnesota has been the better team at both ends, even with a long injury list that includes a day-to-day Kirill Kaprizov. Puck drop is set for 6 pm ET, and my Blue Jackets vs Wild prediction and best bets are below.
Blue Jackets vs Wild Prediction
- Wild to win (64¢ on Kalshi)
My Blue Jackets vs Wild prediction is Minnesota at 64¢, a 64% market-implied chance before fees.
The home trends are strong. Minnesota has won five straight at home when heavily favored, is 6-1 over its last seven home games and has taken four of the last five meetings with Columbus.
The Blue Jackets have won four of their last six as road underdogs. Their 2-9 record over the last 11 games against winning teams favors Minnesota here.
Special teams widen the gap. The Wild’s power play is clicking at 33.3%, while Columbus kills just 66.7% of its penalties. Flip it around, and the Blue Jackets’ 13.3% power play runs into an 88.5% Minnesota kill.
Minnesota also outscores Columbus 3.25 to 2.67 per game and allows 2.50 goals to the Blue Jackets’ 3.17. That’s a better profile on both sides of the puck.
Blue Jackets vs Wild Best Bets
- Under 6.5 goals (53¢ on Kalshi)
My Blue Jackets vs Wild best bet is Under 6.5 at 53¢. Both teams’ scoring rates support the pick.
These teams combine for 5.92 goals per game, well short of 6.5. Neither side piles up shots, either. Columbus averages 28.00 per game and Minnesota averages 29.13.
Both teams limit volume, with Minnesota allowing 26.75 shots per game and Columbus 26.83. The Wild turn that into results with a .907 team save percentage and 2.50 goals against.
Columbus’ .871 team save percentage is the number working against the Under. But a 13.3% power play makes it tough for the Blue Jackets to add goals of their own against an 88.5% kill.
Blue Jackets vs Wild Public Betting Splits
The Blue Jackets vs Wild betting splits are lopsided. Minnesota has 97.39% of the moneyline money and 87.62% of tickets, leaving Columbus with 2.61% of the money and 12.38% of bets.
The Over has drawn 90.62% of the money and 88.17% of wagers, with just 9.38% of the handle on the Under. My Under pick runs against that public support.
Blue Jackets vs Wild Odds
The Blue Jackets vs Wild odds price Columbus at 37¢ to win. Minnesota’s -1.5 puck-line contract costs 42¢.
Prices via Kalshi. Compare other prediction market apps, or check the latest NHL odds for the rest of Sunday’s slate.
Blue Jackets vs Wild Team Stats
Minnesota holds only a slight edge in Corsi and Fenwick, so the possession gap is small. The bigger Blue Jackets vs Wild difference shows up on special teams and in team save percentage.
Blue Jackets vs Wild Projected Goalies and Lineups
Neither starter is confirmed for the Blue Jackets vs Wild matchup. Jet Greaves is projected for Columbus, and Calvin Pickard is the current Minnesota projection, with Jesper Wallstedt also a possibility.
Pickard has played only one game; Minnesota’s .907 team save rate doesn’t establish his form. Greaves has a .905 save rate and one shutout in five games.
Projected top lines (unconfirmed): Columbus runs Knies – Fantilli – Johnson, while Minnesota projects Kaprizov (DTD) – Eriksson Ek – Boldy. A Kaprizov return would give the Wild attack a big boost.
Injuries: Minnesota lists Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon as day to day, with Olli Maatta, Nico Sturm, Marcus Foligno, Nick Foligno, Brock Faber and Filip Gustavsson out. Columbus is without Ivan Provorov, Dante Fabbro, Caleb MacDonald and Isac Lundestrom.
Blue Jackets vs Wild Game Info
Juan Pablo is a sports writer and betting analyst with over 15 years' experience in the industry. He is an expert in European and Latin American soccer, as well as NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, college sports, and EuroLeague. He was born and raised in Chile and is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
