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Wild vs. Ducks prediction: Why Minnesota is favored to win Friday's NHL matchup [1/2/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks predictions for NHL Friday.
The Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild are scheduled to meet in the NHL at Honda Center on Friday, with puck drop at 10:30 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' advanced NHL model projects the Wild as the most likely winner of the Wild vs. Ducks game.
This article offers further insights into Friday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Wild vs. Ducks prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Friday's NHL matchup between the Wild and Ducks 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives the Wild a 55% chance of defeating the Ducks.
According to our model, the Ducks (+1.5) have a 67% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6.5-goal over/under has a 54% chance of staying under.
Wild vs. Ducks odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Wild | Ducks |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+180) | +1.5 (-210) |
| Moneyline | -128 | +120 |
| Total | o6.5 (-105) | u6.5 (-115) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Wild vs. Ducks picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Ducks +1.5 | -210 |
| Moneyline | Ducks | +120 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | -115 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.
Wild vs. Ducks player props
Who will score a goal in Wild vs. Ducks?
According to our model, Kirill Kaprizov is most likely to score an anytime goal in Wild vs. Ducks.
Our projections give Kaprizov a 44.4% chance of scoring a goal at Honda Center, while the star is a 9.6% chance of registering the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 44.4% |
| Matt Boldy | 35.4% |
| Joel Ek | 25.5% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 20.7% |
| Danila Yurov | 18.8% |
Anaheim Ducks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Mason McTavish | 27.2% |
| Chris Kreider | 25.4% |
| Leo Carlsson | 25.2% |
| Cutter Gauthier | 25.1% |
| Beckett Sennecke | 22.7% |
First goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 9.6% |
| Matt Boldy | 7.4% |
| Joel Ek | 4.3% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 3.7% |
| Danila Yurov | 3.6% |
Anaheim Ducks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Mason McTavish | 5.3% |
| Cutter Gauthier | 5.2% |
| Chris Kreider | 5.0% |
| Leo Carlsson | 4.7% |
| Beckett Sennecke | 4.3% |
Wild vs. Ducks game-day updates and essential details
Friday's game between the Ducks and Wild at Honda Center is scheduled to commence at 10:30 PM ET.
- Who: Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
- Time: 10:30 PM ET/7:30PM PT
- Venue: Honda Center
Conclusion
We predict the Wild, with a 55% win probability, will likely beat the Ducks on Friday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Wild vs. Ducks insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are sourced from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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