1. Game Overview
The Minnesota Wild travel to Anaheim to face the Ducks in a Western Conference clash to kick off the 2026 calendar year. The Wild are looking to bounce back from a recent shootout loss, while the Ducks hope to snap a significant losing streak on home ice. The game is scheduled for Friday, January 2, 2026, at 10:40 PM EST at the Honda Center. Viewers can watch the game on ESPN+.
2. Team Form and Analysis
Minnesota Wild (24-10-7): The Wild enter this contest with a strong overall record, positioning them well in the standings. They are coming off a hard-fought 4-3 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, showing they can remain competitive even in defeat. This game marks their first of the new year, and they will be aiming to start 2026 with a road victory against a conference opponent.
Anaheim Ducks (21-16-3): The Anaheim Ducks find themselves in a difficult stretch, having lost their last four consecutive games. Despite a winning record on the season, their recent form is a major concern. The team has been trying to find solutions, including overhauling their penalty kill personnel to shore up their special teams. They will be desperate to end their slump and defend their home ice against a tough Wild team.
3. Injury Report
The provided search results offer limited, specific injury details for this matchup.
- Minnesota Wild: There are no specific players listed on the injury report for the Minnesota Wild in the provided data.
- Anaheim Ducks: A report from early December 2025 noted that goaltenders Lukáš Dostál and Petr Mrázek were out with injuries. Their current status for this game is not confirmed in the search results.
4. Betting Odds Breakdown
The betting odds for this game are as follows:
- Moneyline: Wild -130, Ducks +108
- Spread: Not provided in search results.
- Total (Over/Under): Not provided in search results.
The moneyline indicates that the Minnesota Wild are the favorites. A bettor would need to wager $130 on the Wild to win $100. The Anaheim Ducks are the underdogs; a successful $100 wager on the Ducks would yield a profit of $108.
5. Prediction
The Minnesota Wild are positioned to win this game. They possess a superior record and have demonstrated more consistent play throughout the season. While they are coming off a shootout loss, the Anaheim Ducks are in a more concerning freefall, having dropped four straight contests. The betting odds reflect this disparity, favoring the road team. Given the Ducks’ recent struggles and the Wild’s stronger overall form, Minnesota is the logical pick to secure the victory.
Prediction: Minnesota Wild 4, Anaheim Ducks 2
Sources:
Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild hockey Head To Head – AiScore
Anaheim Ducks vs Minnesota Wild History – NHL
Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild: Head-to-Head Reg Season and …
Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks History – NHL
Minnesota Wild Game Logs Vs Anaheim Ducks | StatMuse
Greg Cronin Named Iowa Wild Head Coach | Minnesota Wild
[Russo] Minnesota are set to hire former Ducks head coach Greg …
Anaheim Ducks v Minnesota Wild LIVE 03/01/2026 | Hockey …
Tickets | LA Kings Single Game Tickets and Ticket Packs – NHL.com
Wild Clinch Berth into the Stanley Cup … – NHL.com Media Site – News