The Minnesota Wild (20-9-5) hit the road to play the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-13-6) at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Wild have won five games in a row.

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Ahead of watching this matchup, here's a glimpse at which team we predict will bring home the victory in Thursday's action on the ice.

Over the past 10 games, the Blue Jackets have a record of 3-4-3. They have totaled 30 goals, while allowing their opponents to score 36. They have gone on the power play 28 times during that span, and have capitalized with six goals (21.4% of opportunities).

Wild vs. Blue Jackets Predictions for Thursday

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

Moneyline Pick: Blue Jackets (+100)
Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
Spread Pick: Blue Jackets (+1.5)

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Wild Splits and Trends

The Wild have a 20-9-5 record overall, with a 6-5-11 record in contests that have needed overtime.
Minnesota has 14 points (5-1-4) in the 10 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
In the seven games this season the Wild recorded only one goal, they went 1-4-2 (four points).
Minnesota has scored a pair of goals in seven games this season (3-3-1 record, seven points).
The Wild are 16-2-2 in the 20 games when they have scored at least three goals (to record 34 points).
In the 12 games when Minnesota has scored a single power-play goal, it has a 7-3-2 record (16 points).
In the 13 games when it outshot its opponent, Minnesota is 7-3-3 (17 points).
The Wild's opponents have had more shots in 20 games. The Wild finished 12-6-2 in those contests (26 points).

Blue Jackets Splits and Trends

The Blue Jackets have earned a record of 7-6-13 in overtime games as part of an overall mark of 14-13-6.
In the 16 games Columbus has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 17 points.
In nine games this season when the Blue Jackets ended a game with only one goal, they earned a total of four points (1-6-2).
Columbus failed to win all four games this season when it scored exactly two goals.
The Blue Jackets have scored at least three goals in 19 games, earning 30 points from those contests.
Columbus has scored a single power-play goal in 11 games this season and has registered 15 points from those matchups.
When outshooting its opponent this season, Columbus is 7-7-3 (17 points).
The Blue Jackets have been outshot by opponents 16 times this season, and earned 17 points in those games.

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Team Stats Comparison

Mo Egger

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