Chicago Blackhawks vs Minnesota Wild Picks and Predictions January 26th 2025

Chicago Blackhawks vs Minnesota Wild January 26th 2025

Betting on today’s Wild and Blackhawks game? Catch the action at United Center in Chicago, IL, as the Blackhawks hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Wild are favored by -1.5 in this Central division showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6 goals.

Minnesota vs. Chicago Key Information

• Teams: Wild at Blackhawks
• Where: United Center Chicago
• Date: Sunday, January 26th
• Betting Odds MIN -186 | CHI +156 O/U 6

The Wild Can Win If…

With a 2-1 overtime victory over the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 28-17-4. Minnesota entered the game as the puck line favorites, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined score of 3 fell well short of that mark.

Ryan Hartman opened the scoring for the Wild at 9:41 in the first period. However, the Maple Leafs tied it up with just 52 seconds left in the first. Matt Boldy netted the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime.

Ryan Hartman netted his 3rd goal of the season at 9:41 in the first period, while Matt Boldy added his 6th goal, scoring in overtime to secure a 2-1 win over the Maple Leafs. Jared Spurgeon picked up assists on both goals, bringing his season total to 3.

The Wild fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second and third periods. They finished with 15 giveaways.

The Wild’s defense gave up a late goal in the first period, but they didn’t allow another the rest of the way, leading to a 2-1 overtime win. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage, and the defense added 7 takeaways and 22 hits.

• The Wild have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. Their record vs the puck line sits at 1-2 in these matchups, while posting a 1-2 over-under mark.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Wild have gone 4-6 straight up. Against the spread, Minnesota went 4-6 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Blackhawks Can Win If…

With a 4-2 win over the Ducks, the Blackhawks moved to 15-29-5 this season. Chicago covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 line.

All four of the Blackhawks’ goals came from different players. They led 3-0 before the Ducks got on the board in the third period.

Chicago’s offense fired 29 shots on goal and netted 4 in their 4-2 win over Anaheim. Ryan Donato scored his 7th goal of the season, while Seth Jones added his 2nd. Isaak Phillips opened the scoring for the Blackhawks, and Teuvo Teravainen found the net for the 4th time this year.

Chicago scored twice in the first period, added a third on a power play in the second, and capped their scoring with Donato’s goal in the third. The Blackhawks recorded 12 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Blackhawks will look to carry over their performance from the previous game, where they allowed just two goals. Arvid Söderblom made 38 saves with a 95% save percentage. The Blackhawks’ defense also added 6 takeaways and 5 hits. Both goals they allowed came in the 3rd period, with the second coming with just 4 seconds left in the game.

• Across Chicago’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 3-0 to go along with an over-under mark of 3-0.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Chicago has a record of 3-7. This includes going 7-3 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 7-2-1.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Blackhawks to come out with a win against the Wild while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at +156, I’m placing my bet on the Blackhawks to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Blackhawks winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Blackhawks straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Wild Look to Regroup Amid Recent Struggles

The Minnesota Wild (22-18-3) find themselves in a difficult stretch, having dropped five of their past six games. As they head to Chicago for a Sunday matchup with the Blackhawks, the Wild are desperate to reignite their season and climb back into the playoff picture.

Despite a 5-4 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday, Wild coach John Hynes expressed frustration with his team’s lack of intensity and commitment.

“The mentality, the fire, the competitiveness … right now, it’s not enough,” Hynes said.

One bright spot for Minnesota has been the play of Marco Rossi, who recorded three assists in Saturday’s loss. Rossi’s 43 points this season surpass his total from last year, solidifying him as a key contributor for the Wild.

However, Minnesota’s penalty kill has been a glaring issue, allowing seven power-play goals in the past six games. If they hope to secure a win in Chicago, tightening up their special teams will be crucial.

Blackhawks Developing Youth Amid Rebuild

The Chicago Blackhawks (14-25-7) are embracing a season of growth, focusing on the development of their young talent. Despite back-to-back overtime losses to Carolina and Tampa Bay, the Blackhawks have shown flashes of promise.

Connor Bedard, last year’s NHL Rookie of the Year, continues to shine as the team’s offensive leader. With an assist in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay, Bedard has tallied at least one point in 13 of his past 15 games, bringing his season total to 42 points.

The Blackhawks are also seeing contributions from emerging players such as Colton Dach, who scored his first career goal against Tampa Bay, and Frank Nazar, who chipped in a goal and an assist.

However, the team has faced challenges maintaining momentum. Captain Nick Foligno lamented missed opportunities after Tampa Bay dominated the final periods with a 40-14 shot advantage.

“We have no one else to blame but ourselves … It’s not a fun feeling for anybody in here,” Foligno said.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Marco Rossi vs. Connor Bedard

Two of the brightest young stars in the NHL will take center stage in Sunday’s matchup. Rossi’s recent playmaking and Bedard’s scoring ability could dictate the game’s outcome.

2. Special Teams Battle

Minnesota’s penalty kill has been a liability, while Chicago’s power play has been inconsistent. Whichever team can win the special teams battle could seize control of the game.

3. Young Talent Stepping Up

Chicago’s youth movement, highlighted by Dach and Nazar, has shown promise. Minnesota will need its depth players to match the energy and output of the Blackhawks’ rising stars.

Recent History

Minnesota has won two of three matchups against Chicago this season, with all games decided by one goal. In their most recent meeting on Dec. 23, the Wild secured a 4-3 win with contributions from ten different players.

Prediction

Both teams are eager to bounce back from recent struggles, but Minnesota’s desperation and deeper roster should give them an edge. Expect a tightly contested game, but the Wild’s top players are likely to rise to the occasion.

Final Score Prediction: Wild 4, Blackhawks 3

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Conclusion

As the Wild aim to reverse their recent fortunes, they face a Blackhawks team focused on building for the future. With key players like Rossi and Bedard leading the charge, fans can expect an exciting and competitive game in Chicago.