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Wild vs. Avalanche prediction: Why Colorado is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [2/26/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Colorado Avalanche will face the Minnesota Wild in NHL action at Ball Arena on Thursday, beginning at 9:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulations, Dimers' advanced NHL model predicts the Avalanche as the most likely winner of the Wild vs. Avalanche game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Wild vs. Avs prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL game between the Wild and Avalanche 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives the Avalanche a 59% chance of beating the Wild.
According to our model, the Wild (+1.5) have a 63% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 6.5 goals has a 55% chance of staying under.
Wild vs. Avalanche odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Wild | Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-185) | -1.5 (+160) |
| Moneyline | +130 | -150 |
| Total | o6.5 (+100) | u6.5 (-115) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Wild vs. Avalanche 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 | Avalanche -1.5 | +160 |
| Moneyline | Avalanche | -150 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | -115 |
According to our best NHL bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Wild vs. Avalanche player props
Who will score a goal in Wild vs. Avalanche?
According to our model, Kirill Kaprizov is most likely to score an anytime goal in Wild vs. Avalanche.
Our projections give Kaprizov a 37.9% chance of scoring a goal at Ball Arena, while the star is a 7.8% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 37.9% |
| Matt Boldy | 27.1% |
| Joel Ek | 23.2% |
| Danila Yurov | 19.1% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 18.2% |
Colorado Avalanche
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nathan MacKinnon | 34.0% |
| Brock Nelson | 33.3% |
| Gabriel Landeskog | 28.3% |
| Martin Necas | 28.1% |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 26.7% |
First goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 7.8% |
| Matt Boldy | 4.8% |
| Joel Ek | 4.6% |
| Danila Yurov | 3.6% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 3.2% |
Colorado Avalanche
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nathan MacKinnon | 6.6% |
| Brock Nelson | 6.3% |
| Gabriel Landeskog | 5.1% |
| Martin Necas | 5.0% |
| Artturi Lehkonen | 5.0% |
Wild vs. Avs game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's matchup between the Avalanche and Wild at Ball Arena is scheduled to start at 9:00 PM ET.
- Who: Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
- Time: 9:00 PM ET/6:00PM PT
- Venue: Ball Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Avalanche, with a 59% win probability, will likely beat the Wild on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Wild vs. Avalanche 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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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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