Wild vs. Kraken Prediction & Picks - Jan. 8

The Minnesota Wild (25-11-8) visit the Seattle Kraken (20-14-7), who have won four in a row, on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

To prepare for this matchup, here's who we expect to secure the win in Thursday's hockey action.

The Kraken have gone 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, totaling 37 goals while giving up 20 in that period. On 21 power-play opportunities during that span, they have scored eight goals (38.1%).

Wild vs. Kraken Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final result of Wild 4, Kraken 3.

Moneyline Pick: Wild (-155)
Total Pick: Under 6 (computer predicts 5.6 goals on average)
Spread Pick: Kraken (+1.5)

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Wild Splits and Trends

The Wild (25-11-8 overall) have a 7-8-15 record in games that have needed overtime.
Minnesota has 17 points (6-1-5) in the 12 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
In the eight games this season the Wild scored just one goal, they went 1-5-2 (four points).
Minnesota has taken eight points from the nine games this season when it scored two goals (3-4-2 record).
The Wild have scored three or more goals 27 times, and are 21-2-4 in those games (to register 46 points).
In the 18 games when Minnesota has recorded a single power-play goal, it registered 25 points after finishing 11-4-3.
In the 18 games when it outshot its opponent, Minnesota is 10-4-4 (24 points).
The Wild have been outshot by opponents 25 times, and went 14-7-4 (32 points).

Kraken Splits and Trends

The Kraken have posted a record of 6-7-13 in overtime contests as part of an overall mark of 20-14-7.
In the 14 games Seattle has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 19 points.
This season the Kraken scored only one goal in six games and they finished 0-5-1 in those matchups.
When Seattle has scored exactly two goals this season, they've earned four points (1-4-2 record).
The Kraken have scored at least three goals in 26 games, earning 41 points from those contests.
This season, Seattle has capitalized on a lone power-play goal in 20 games has a record of 9-6-5 in those matchups.
When outshooting its opponent this season, Seattle is 4-7-2 (10 points).
The Kraken have been outshot by opponents 25 times this season, and earned 35 points in those games.

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Team Stats Comparison

Wild Rank	Wild AVG		Kraken AVG	Kraken Rank
14th	3.11	Goals Scored	2.78	26th
2nd	2.64	Goals Allowed	2.83	10th
14th	28.3	Shots	26	26th
28th	29.8	Shots Allowed	29.4	26th
10th	22.45%	Power Play %	21.85%	12th
26th	76.92%	Penalty Kill %	70.43%	32nd

Wild vs. Kraken Game Time and TV Channel

When: Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN+
Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
Where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington