On Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings (31‑16‑4) head west to face the Minnesota Wild (28‑14‑9) at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul in a nationally televised matchup on the ice. Both teams sit in playoff position with solid records, but a difference in the amount of rest each team is getting could end up deciding this matchup. Here, I break it all down for you as I get you ready for the opening face-off with my Red Wings vs Wild prediction.
Our Red Wings vs Wild Pick
| Pick: | |
| Confidence: | 5/5 |
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Detroit Red Wings vs Minnesota Wild
- Date & Time: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 9:30 PM ET
- Venue: Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Broadcast: ESPN
Key Storylines
Recent form
Detroit arrives in Minnesota playing some of its best hockey of the season. The Red Wings have won six of seven, including a dramatic overtime victory over Ottawa that saw Alex DeBrincat score the game‑winner and goalie John Gibson notch his sixth straight win. That surge has helped solidify Detroit’s place near the top of the Atlantic Division standings, but the Wings have to play for the second straight night here and that could cause them some problems.
Minnesota’s recent rhythm has been bumpier. The Wild endured a three‑game slide before defeating Buffalo 5‑4 in overtime, with Mats Zuccarello scoring the decisive goal and Kirill Kaprizov assisting on three Wild goals. The Wild have since split their last two games and will try to get a win on home ice in this contest.
Goaltending
Detroit’s John Gibson has been steady, with his recent run of wins underscoring his ability to keep Detroit competitive in tight games. But we should see Cam Talbot in this game thanks to the back-to-back for Detroit. For Minnesota, Filip Gustavsson has been a reliable backbone, evidenced by his recent extension and strong 2025 season performance. He enters this game with a 2.56 GAA and Gustavsson’s consistency in net could give the Wild an edge in a contest that figures to be closely contested.
Key skaters
Offensively, Detroit is paced by Alex DeBrincat, who leads the club with 26 goals and 26 assists this season. He is supported by Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, with Raymond leading the club in points and assists. Minnesota’s offensive arsenal includes Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, both of whom consistently create scoring opportunities.
Betting Trends & H2H
- This is the first game of the season between the Wild and Red Wings.
- The Wild are 27-24 on the puckline this season.
- Detroit enters this game with a 26-25 record in the puckline market.
Red Wings vs Wild Model Projection
Final Thoughts
