Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Predictions April 15th 2025

Wild Look to Clinch Playoff Berth in Finale vs. Ducks

With everything on the line, the Minnesota Wild enter Tuesday night’s showdown with the Anaheim Ducks knowing exactly what’s at stake: earn at least one point and punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s a win-and-in scenario — or tie-and-in — for a Wild squad eager to control its own destiny in front of a home crowd in Saint Paul.

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Wild in the Driver’s Seat, But No Room for Error

Minnesota (44-30-7, 95 points) holds a four-point cushion over the Calgary Flames for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. With just one game remaining, the Wild can eliminate any doubt by earning a single point against Anaheim.

“We control our own destiny,” said defenseman Brock Faber. “Now, it’s just on to the last one and the biggest one of the year.”

The Wild will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round should they clinch — a tough draw considering they went 0-3-0 against Vegas this season. But first, they have to finish the job.

Minnesota is bolstered by the return of star forward Kirill Kaprizov, who has two goals and two assists in three games since coming back from a long injury absence. Mats Zuccarello has also come alive in April, posting seven points in seven games this month.

“Big-time players make big plays, and [Zuccarello] just seems to always be there in the big moments,” Faber added.

Tuesday may also mark the debut of top prospect Zeev Buium, the 19-year-old NCAA standout who just signed a three-year, entry-level contract after a stellar season at the University of Denver. Buium led all NCAA defensemen in scoring and is expected to bring a dynamic presence to Minnesota’s blue line.

Ducks Playing Spoiler, But Inconsistently

Anaheim (35-37-8, 78 points) has long been out of the playoff race, but they’ve managed to make life difficult for several contenders down the stretch. Still, they let a golden opportunity slip on Sunday, giving up four goals in the final 10 minutes to a shorthanded Avalanche squad in a 4-2 loss.

“That’s not a reflection of what a team needs to do to be a winning team,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said bluntly. “We turned pucks over repeatedly. It’s extremely disappointing.”

Cronin has emphasized accountability and expects a sharper effort against a motivated Wild team. Mason McTavish continues to be a bright spot for the Ducks, scoring his 22nd goal of the season on Sunday. He’s compiled eight points (4G, 4A) in his last 10 games and has emerged as a centerpiece of Anaheim’s future.

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“He’s been, probably, our best player in that streak there,” Cronin said. “There’s a bright future for him.”

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All Eyes on Minnesota’s Moment

For the Wild, it’s simple — get a point, and they’re in. With the crowd behind them and momentum building thanks to the return of their stars and the potential debut of a top prospect, the energy in Saint Paul will be electric. But the Ducks, with young talent and nothing to lose, won’t go down easily.

Expect a playoff-like atmosphere in a must-see finale.