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Flames vs. Wild prediction: Why Minnesota is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [1/29/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Minnesota Wild will square off with the Calgary Flames in NHL action at Grand Casino Arena on Thursday, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.
The championship matchup pairs two 14–3 teams coming off sharply contrasting conference title games, with New England advancing through a low-scoring, snow-filled AFC Championship win over Denver and Seattle earning its place after a 31–27 NFC Championship thriller against the Rams.
The clash also spotlights two offensive focal points, with Drake Maye guiding New England through a composed, run-focused AFC title performance and Jaxon Smith-Njigba entering as Seattle’s primary playmaker following a 153-yard, one-touchdown outing in the NFC Championship.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' proven NHL model predicts the Wild as the most likely winner of the Flames vs. Wild game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Flames vs. Wild prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL game between the Flames and Wild 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Wild a 61% chance of defeating the Flames.
According to our model, the Flames (+1.5) have a 61% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 5.5 goals has a 56% chance of going over.
Flames vs. Wild odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Flames | Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-160) | -1.5 (+136) |
| Moneyline | +155 | -185 |
| Total | o5.5 (-134) | u5.5 (+114) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Flames vs. Wild picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current 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 | Flames +1.5 | -160 |
| Moneyline | Flames | +155 |
| Total | Over 5.5 | -134 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Flames to win.
Flames vs. Wild player props
Who will score a goal in Flames vs. Wild?
According to our model, Kirill Kaprizov is most likely to score an anytime goal in Flames vs. Wild.
Our projections give Kaprizov a 41.2% chance of scoring a goal at Grand Casino Arena, while the star is a 9.2% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Calgary Flames
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Yegor Sharangovich | 26.3% |
| Nazem Kadri | 25.8% |
| Matthew Coronato | 22.8% |
| Connor Zary | 20.1% |
| Mikael Backlund | 19.8% |
Minnesota Wild
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 41.2% |
| Matt Boldy | 29.3% |
| Joel Ek | 26.6% |
| Ryan Hartman | 23.8% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 23.4% |
First goal scorer predictions
Calgary Flames
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Yegor Sharangovich | 5.3% |
| Nazem Kadri | 5.0% |
| Connor Zary | 4.0% |
| Matthew Coronato | 3.8% |
| Mikael Backlund | 3.7% |
Minnesota Wild
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 9.2% |
| Matt Boldy | 5.6% |
| Joel Ek | 5.5% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 4.8% |
| Ryan Hartman | 4.7% |
Flames vs. Wild game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's game between the Wild and Flames at Grand Casino Arena is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Calgary Flames vs. Minnesota Wild
- Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Grand Casino Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Wild, with a 61% win probability, will likely beat the Flames on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Flames vs. Wild insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on 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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