The Minnesota Wild (20-9-5) will attempt to extend a five-game win streak when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-13-6) on the road on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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Ahead of watching this matchup, here is a peek at which team we think will come out on top in Thursday's action on the ice.

The Wild have put up a 7-2-1 record over their past 10 contests. They have scored 31 total goals (five power-play goals on 30 power-play opportunities during that span, for a conversion rate of 16.7%) while allowing 18 goals to their opponents.

Blue Jackets vs. Wild Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projections model for this encounter calls for a final score of Blue Jackets 4, Wild 3.

Moneyline Pick: Blue Jackets (-110)
Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.1 goals on average)
Spread Pick: Wild (+1.5)

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Blue Jackets Splits and Trends

The Blue Jackets (14-13-6 overall) have a 7-6-13 record in contests that have gone to overtime.
In the 16 games Columbus has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 6-5-5 record (good for 17 points).
The nine times this season the Blue Jackets ended a game with only one goal, they went 1-6-2 (four points).
Columbus has lost all four games this season when it scored two goals.
The Blue Jackets have scored at least three goals 19 times, and are 13-2-4 in those games (to register 30 points).
In the 11 games when Columbus has scored a lone power-play goal, it went 6-2-3 to register 15 points.
In the 17 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Columbus is 7-7-3 (17 points).
The Blue Jackets have been outshot by opponents in 16 games, going 7-6-3 to register 17 points.

Wild Splits and Trends

The Wild have a 6-5-11 record in overtime games this season and a 20-9-5 overall record.
In the 10 games Minnesota has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 14 points.
This season the Wild scored just one goal in seven games and have gone 1-4-2 (four points).
When Minnesota has scored two goals this season, they've earned seven points (3-3-1 record).
The Wild have earned 34 points in their 20 games with more than two goals scored.
This season, Minnesota has recorded a lone power-play goal in 12 games has a record of 7-3-2 in those matchups.
When it outshoots its opponent this season, Minnesota has posted a record of 7-3-3 (17 points).
The Wild have been outshot by opponents in 20 games, going 12-6-2 to record 26 points.

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Team Stats Comparison

Mo Egger

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