Minnesota Wild at Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, Picks, and Odds Movement for December 18 2025
Minnesota vs Columbus picks take center stage on Thursday night, and this breakdown is part of our NHL picks coverage as the Wild travel to Nationwide Arena to face the Blue Jackets in a matchup where recent form and market perception collide.
TLDR - Picks and Prediction
- Moneyline: Minnesota Wild -110
- Puck Line: Minnesota +1.5
- Total: Under 6.5
- Projected Final Score: Wild 3, Blue Jackets 2
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Stats to Know for Minnesota vs Columbus
- Minnesota enters on a five-game winning streak, allowing two goals or fewer in four of those games.
- The Wild are allowing 2.53 goals per game compared to 3.46 for Columbus.
- Minnesota owns a 23.1 percent power play, while Columbus sits at 18.5 percent.
- The first meeting this season was a 7-4 Columbus win on October 11.
Odds and Line Movement
Current Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | -110 | 6.5 |
| Columbus | -110 | 6.5 |
Line Movement - Puck Line
| Date | Minnesota | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| 12/17 | +1.5 | -1.5 |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| 12/17 | 6.5 (+106) | 6.5 (-130) |
Minnesota vs Columbus Game Preview and Analysis
I view this matchup as a classic form-versus-market situation. Minnesota comes in riding a five-game winning streak after a 5-0 win over Washington, while Columbus is coming off a 4-3 overtime victory against Anaheim. The market has this priced as essentially a pickem, but the underlying profiles of these teams suggest Minnesota holds the clearer edge.
Defensively, the Wild have been far more reliable, allowing just 2.53 goals per game compared to 3.46 for the Blue Jackets. Minnesota’s special teams advantage also matters here, particularly if this game tightens up at even strength. The Wild have been able to dictate pace and suppress chances during this recent run, which is critical in a road environment.
In net, I give Minnesota the edge as well. The Wild have received strong play from both Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt, while Columbus has struggled to get consistent results from its goaltending tandem. That discrepancy is a major reason I am comfortable leaning toward the under, especially if Minnesota succeeds in slowing the game down.
The one concern for Minnesota is availability on the blue line. Injuries to Jonas Brodin, Zach Bogosian, and Jake Middleton thin out the rotation and place added stress on depth pairings. Columbus enters relatively healthy, which should help them generate shot volume at home. Still, I trust Minnesota’s structure and goaltending to absorb that pressure better than Columbus can handle sustained defensive zone time.
Betting Trends (MIN and CBJ)
- Minnesota has won five straight games.
- The under has been a factor in Minnesota’s recent run, with four of the last five staying low-scoring.
- Columbus is allowing over three goals per game on the season.
Key Injuries and Notes (MIN and CBJ)
- Minnesota is without Jonas Brodin, Zach Bogosian, Jake Middleton, and Marcus Johansson.
- Daemon Hunt is listed as day-to-day for Minnesota.
- Columbus enters the game with no injuries listed.
Final Score Prediction
Minnesota Wild 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
ATS and Total Picks
- Moneyline: Minnesota Wild -110
- Puck Line: Minnesota +1.5
- Total: Under 6.5
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