The Minnesota Wild (20-9-5, riding a five-game winning streak) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-13-6) at Nationwide Arena. The game on Thursday, Dec. 18 starts at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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To prepare for this matchup, here is who we project to take home the victory in Thursday's hockey action.

The Blue Jackets have totaled 30 goals during their past 10 outings, while conceding 36 goals. A total of 28 power-play opportunities during that span have netted six power-play goals (21.4%). They are 3-4-3 over those contests.

Wild vs. Blue Jackets Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final score 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 gone 6-5-11 in overtime matchups as part of an overall record of 20-9-5.
In the 10 games Minnesota has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 5-1-4 record (good for 14 points).
The seven times this season the Wild finished a game with only one goal, they went 1-4-2 (four points).
Minnesota has finished 3-3-1 in the seven games this season when it scored a pair of goals (registering seven points).
The Wild have scored three or more goals in 20 games (16-2-2, 34 points).
In the 12 games when Minnesota has capitalized on a single power-play goal, it has a 7-3-2 record (16 points).
In the 13 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Minnesota is 7-3-3 (17 points).
The Wild have been outshot by opponents in 20 games, going 12-6-2 to register 26 points.

Blue Jackets Splits and Trends

The Blue Jackets (14-13-6 overall) have posted a record of 7-6-13 in games that have needed OT this season.
Columbus has earned 17 points (6-5-5) in its 16 games decided by one goal.
In nine games this season when the Blue Jackets finished a game with just one goal, they earned a total of four points (1-6-2).
Columbus failed to win all four games this season when it scored a pair of goals.
The Blue Jackets have earned 30 points in their 19 games with three or more goals scored.
Columbus has scored a single power-play goal in 11 games this season and has recorded 15 points from those matchups.
When it outshoots its opponent this season, Columbus has posted a record of 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

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