Published Dec 17, 3:46am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 17, 3:46am ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Dec 17, 3:46am ET
Teams that find themselves in contrasting positions in the NHL standings will collide on Dec 18, as the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Minnesota Wild. Find our picks here.
Columbus will have the home ice advantage on Thursday, as they aim to move off the foot of the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets landed a dramatic win in their previous outing, but that was just their third success in their last ten.
The Minnesota Wild are the in-form team in the NHL at present, having won each of their last five. A sixth straight win will see them go within striking distance at the top of the Central Division.
It has been a challenging season to this point for the Columbus Blue Jackets, as they have gone 14-13-6.
That record sees them sit bottom of the Metropolitan Division, while they have recorded just three wins in their last ten. Over the same period, they have suffered four defeats in regulation time.
The Blue Jackets also currently have the worst defensive record in the Metropolitan Division, and the second-worst in the Eastern Conference. However, confidence can be taken from their latest outing after landing a win over the Anaheim Ducks in overtime.
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There is currently no team in the NHL on a longer winning run than the Minnesota Wild. Following a run of five straight victories, they sit third in the Central Division, and they are within four points of the Dallas Stars.
The Wild have gone 7-2-1 over their last ten, becoming just the fourth team in the West to pick up 20 overall wins in 2025-26.
The Wild flexed their offensive muscles on Tuesday evening, as they secured a 5-0 home win over the Washington Capitals. Vladimir Tarasenko was a standout player, scoring twice and adding one assist.
| TOTAL | Wild | Blue Jackets | DRAWS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WINS | 69 | 35 | 33 | - |
| GOALS | 351 | 177 | 174 |
This should be an interesting clash, despite the fact that both teams sit at opposite ends of their respective standings.
The form that the Wild bring into this clash is eye-catching, and is therefore extremely challenging to overlook their claims. Due to that, the road win is preferred when making picks.
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Pick
Minnesota Wild
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