Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks Picks and Predictions for Sunday, October 25, 2026

Minnesota has a chance to pick up some points against a Vancouver team that's been having a miserable start to the season. The Wild visit the Canucks at Rogers Arena on Sunday, with the game starting at 10:00 pm ET on ESPN+. Minnesota is second in the Central Division with a 6-3-2 record, although Thursday's 2-1 loss to Calgary was another frustrating result. Vancouver is last in the Pacific at 2-9-1 after losing 5-2 to Detroit. The Canucks have now dropped five consecutive games. Minnesota also faces Seattle on Saturday, making the visit to Vancouver its second road game in as many nights. Check out our free NHL picks for Sunday's games.

Minnesota Wild Have a Big Advantage in Net

Minnesota had a couple of good nights at home before heading west. The Wild beat St. Louis 5-4 and followed that with a 2-1 victory over Columbus. The road hasn't been as kind. Edmonton handed Minnesota a 4-3 overtime defeat Tuesday, and Calgary held the Wild to one goal Thursday. Minnesota has scored 32 goals in 11 games, with 27 going in at the other end. The Wild are also getting 30.5 shots on net per game while allowing 25.7. They've been creating opportunities, but the last two results haven't gone their way.

Kirill Kaprizov has already scored 11 times, giving him the NHL goals lead through 11 appearances. He's also sixth in the league with 17 points. Quinn Hughes has been doing plenty of work setting up goals, collecting 11 assists, tied for sixth in the NHL. Matt Boldy has chipped in with five goals. Jesper Wallstedt has been Minnesota's main goalie, posting a 6-2-2 record with a .915 save percentage. His 2.19 goals-against average is 10th among qualified NHL goaltenders. Calvin Pickard has played once and allowed five goals, while Minnesota has converted 25.7% of its power-play opportunities.

Injuries: Maxim Shabanov is out. Filip Gustavsson, Marcus Foligno, Nick Foligno and Brock Faber are on injured reserve.

Vancouver Canucks Still Waiting for Things to Turn Around

It's been a miserable stretch for Vancouver. The Canucks were beaten 3-2 by the Islanders, lost another close game in overtime against Florida, and then fell 4-2 to Tampa Bay. Things got worse once they returned home. Carolina scored six against Vancouver on Tuesday, and Detroit followed with five on Thursday. The Canucks have now surrendered 56 goals in 12 games. Their 4.67 goals allowed per game is the worst mark in the NHL, and opponents are averaging 33.5 shots. Vancouver is taking just 20.1 shots per game itself.

Elias Pettersson has four goals and eight assists, giving him a team-high 12 points. Jonathan Lekkerimaki also has four goals, while Brock Boeser has collected eight points. The goaltending has been especially difficult for Vancouver. Kevin Lankinen has lost seven of eight starts, posting a 6.17 goals-against average and .812 save percentage. Leevi Merilainen owns a 1-2-1 record with a 2.95 GAA and .917 save percentage. The Canucks have also killed only 65% of opposing power plays. With those numbers, keeping Minnesota's forwards quiet becomes a major challenge.

Injuries: Jack Thompson, Akil Thomas, Mackenzie MacEachern and Thatcher Demko are on injured reserve.

Key To The Game

Minnesota has allowed just 2.46 goals per game, while Vancouver is giving up almost twice that number. The Canucks need better work in front of their goaltenders, particularly against Kaprizov. Minnesota has a clear advantage in shots and defensive play.

Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks Game Pick

• Minnesota Wild

The Wild have struggled on the road lately, but Vancouver presents a favorable matchup. Minnesota has been allowing far fewer shots, and Wallstedt has played well in net. Kaprizov leads the NHL in goals and gets another opportunity against a defense that's been giving up plenty. Vancouver has lost five straight games, with 11 goals allowed in its last two. Minnesota has the stronger lineup and wins Sunday in Vancouver.

Minnesota Wild vs Vancouver Canucks Over/Under Pick

• Over

Vancouver hasn't been able to keep the puck out of its net, allowing at least three goals in each of its last five games. The Canucks also have a penalty kill operating at just 65%, giving Kaprizov and Hughes another way to produce offense. Minnesota has struggled to score lately, but Vancouver's defensive numbers are considerably worse. The Wild put enough goals on the board to make the over the play.