Wild vs Avalanche Prediction 1/9/25 NHL Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Wild vs Avalanche prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 9th at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Minnesota Wild are 26-11-4 this year after they defeated St. Louis by a score of 6-4 in their last game. Minnesota led 2-0 in the first period, but they trailed 4-2 in the second, before scoring the last four goals in the game for the win. The Wild were outshot by a total of 33-26, won 42.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Boldy, Eriksson Ek, Johansson, Bogosian, Merrill, and Middleton, while Gustavsson stopped 14 out of 18 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Wild defeated the Hurricanes by a score of 4-0 and the Capitals by a score of 4-3. Minnesota has won four games in a row and six of their last seven, and they are currently second in the Central standings with 56 points. Minnesota has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 2.66 goals against per game, while also going 19% on the power play and 70.7% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov is the leading scorer for Minnesota, but he has been out since late December, while Marco Rossi has scored 15 goals, 22 assists, and 74 shots on goal. Filip Gustavsson is 18-6-3 with a 2.31 goals against average and a .922 save percentage this season. 

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are 25-16-1 this season after they lost to Chicago by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Colorado led 1-0 in the first period, but they allowed the last three goals in the game for the loss. The Avalanche outshot Chicago by a total of 36-20, won 42.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Colorado got their lone goal from Parssinen, while Miner stopped 17 out of 20 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Avalanche defeated the Panthers by a score of 3-1 but did lose to the Canadiens by a score of 2-1 before that. Colorado has won seven of their last nine games and they are currently third in the Central standings with 51 points. Colorado has scored 3.39 goals per game and they have allowed 3.17 goals against per game, while also going 23.6% on the power play and 76.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 14 goals, 52 assists, and 158 shots on goal, while Mikko Rantanen has added 24 goals, 34 assists, and 117 shots on goal. Mackenzie Blackwood is 7-1-1 with a 1.69 goals against average and a .938 save percentage for the Avs this year. 

Why the Wild will beat the Avalanche

• The Avalanche have lost four of their last five games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Wild have won each of their last three games as underdogs.
• The Wild have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as home underdogs following a home win.
• The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games at Xcel Energy Center against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Wild have won the third period in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Avalanche’s last six road games against opponents on a winning streak has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Wild’s last four home night games following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Three of the last four games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last six home games against Western Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in four of the Avalanche’s last six games as favorites against the Wild.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Kirill Kaprizov has scored at least one goal in six of the Wild’s last seven home games against the Avalanche.
• Mats Zuccarello has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five home appearances against the Avalanche after playing less than 20 minutes in the Wild’s last game.
• Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine appearances against the Avalanche.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Valeri Nichushkin has scored a goal in nine of his last 10 road appearances against Western Conference opponents.
• Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine road appearances against the Wild after playing less than 20 minutes in the Avalanche’s last game.
• Artturi Lehkonen has scored the first goal in each of the Avalanche’s last three games against the Wild.
• Valeri Nichushkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last 11 road appearances against Western Conference opponents.

Wild vs Avalanche Prediction 

Colorado comes into this matchup after losing to the Blackhawks on Wednesday night, so they will be on a back-to-back here. The Avalanche are 13-8-0 on the road this year, while the Wild are 11-8-1 at home. Minnesota has won four games in a row and they have scored at least four goals in the four wins. The Wild are only allowing 2.66 goals against per game this year and even with them dealing with injuries, I like them to get the win. Take the Wild at home here.