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Wild vs. Kraken prediction: Minnesota favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [1/8/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Minnesota Wild vs Seattle Kraken predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Seattle Kraken will face the Minnesota Wild in NHL action at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday, starting at 10:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model predicts the Wild as the most likely winner of the Wild vs. Kraken game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Wild vs. Kraken prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Wild and Kraken 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model gives the Wild a 55% chance of defeating the Kraken.
According to our model, the Kraken (+1.5) have a 65% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 5.5 goals has a 52% chance of going over.
Wild vs. Kraken odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Wild | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+154) | +1.5 (-170) |
| Moneyline | -162 | +142 |
| Total | o5.5 (-128) | u5.5 (+110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Wild vs. Kraken picks and best bet
After matching our probabilities 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 | Kraken +1.5 | -170 |
| Moneyline | Kraken | +142 |
| Total | Under 5.5 | +110 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Kraken to win.
Wild vs. Kraken player props
Who will score a goal in Wild vs. Kraken?
According to our model, Kirill Kaprizov is most likely to score an anytime goal in Wild vs. Kraken.
Our projections give Kaprizov a 42.6% chance of scoring a goal at Climate Pledge Arena, while the star is a 9.1% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 42.6% |
| Matt Boldy | 31.8% |
| Joel Ek | 25.8% |
| Danila Yurov | 20.1% |
| Mats Zuccarello | 19.0% |
Seattle Kraken
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Jared McCann | 25.5% |
| Jordan Eberle | 24.7% |
| Shane Wright | 23.5% |
| Matty Beniers | 23.0% |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 20.9% |
First goal scorer predictions
Minnesota Wild
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | 9.1% |
| Matt Boldy | 6.3% |
| Joel Ek | 5.3% |
| Danila Yurov | 3.6% |
| Quinn Hughes | 3.5% |
Seattle Kraken
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Jordan Eberle | 4.9% |
| Shane Wright | 4.8% |
| Jared McCann | 4.7% |
| Matty Beniers | 4.3% |
| Kaapo Kakko | 4.0% |
Wild vs. Kraken game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's action between the Kraken and Wild at Climate Pledge Arena is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM ET.
- Who: Minnesota Wild vs. Seattle Kraken
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET/7:00PM PT
- Venue: Climate Pledge Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Wild, with a 55% win probability, will likely beat the Kraken on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Wild vs. Kraken 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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