NHL Game Preview: Anaheim Ducks (42-32-6) vs. Minnesota Wild (45-23-12)

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Minnesota Wild logo

Grand Casino Arena — St. Paul, Minnesota

Faceoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM CT

Venue & Game Context

Arena: Grand Casino Arena, 199 W Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN

Wild are at home, where they hold a strong 22‑10‑8 record.

Ducks enter as road underdogs, sitting 18‑19‑2 away from Anaheim.

Injury Report

Minnesota Wild

Jonas Brodin (D) — OUT

Mats Zuccarello (RW) — OUT

Brock Faber (D) — OUT

Marcus Foligno (LW) — OUT

Joel Eriksson Ek (C) — OUT

Anaheim Ducks

No major new injuries listed in the available reports.

Recent Team Form

Anaheim Ducks — Last 5

L 4–3 (OT) vs VAN

W 6–1 vs SJ

L 5–0 vs NSH

L 5–3 vs CGY

L 6–2 vs STL

Trend: 1–4 in last five, defensive lapses (3.51 GA/G) and inconsistent goaltending remain issues.

Minnesota Wild — Last 5

L 2–1 @ NSH

L 5–4 @ DAL

W 5–2 vs SEA

W 5–4 @ DET

W 4–1 @ OTT

Trend: 3–2 in last five, strong defensive structure (2.84 GA/G) and elite special teams.

Goaltender Matchup

Anaheim — Lukas Dostal

Record: 30‑19‑4

GAA: 3.10

SV%: .889

Minnesota — Filip Gustavsson

Record: 28‑14‑6

GAA: 2.64

SV%: .906

Edge: Wild — Gustavsson’s consistency and Minnesota’s defensive structure give them a clear advantage.

Key Player Matchups

Cutter Gauthier (ANA) vs. Kirill Kaprizov (MIN)

Gauthier: 40 G, 27 A, 67 PTS

Kaprizov: 45 G, 44 A, 89 PTS

Narrative:
Gauthier is Anaheim’s breakout star, but Kaprizov remains one of the league’s elite drivers of offense. Minnesota’s depth scoring and blue‑line puck movement (Hughes, etc.) amplify Kaprizov’s impact.

Series History & Context

Minnesota is one home win away from a season sweep of the Ducks.

Implication:
Wild have consistently dictated pace and matchup control in previous meetings.

Betting Trends

Ducks allow 3.51 GA/G, Wild score 3.28 GPG → Over is live.

Wild defense at home is strong; Ducks’ offense inconsistent → Under also viable depending on game script.

Minnesota’s home record and Anaheim’s recent form strongly favor the Wild ML.

Game Odds

Anaheim Ducks                 – 130

Minnesota Wild               6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 13, 2026