The Calgary Flames (21-25-6) take on the Minnesota Wild (30-14-10) in a Western Conference matchup that pits a struggling Flames squad against a surging Wild team looking to maintain their strong position in the Central Division. Calgary is mired in a four-game winless streak (0-2-2), relying on opportunistic scoring but plagued by defensive inconsistencies and injuries, while Minnesota has gone 4-1-1 in their last six games, showcasing balanced offense and reliable goaltending. The teams split their first two meetings this season, with the Flames winning 4-1 on December 4, 2025, and the Wild responding with a 2-0 shutout on November 10, 2025. With significant injuries on both sides, expect a low-scoring, defensive battle at Xcel Energy Center, where Minnesota’s home advantage could be key, but Calgary’s desperation for points might lead to a competitive grind.
Venue Location
Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT).
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Recent Team Forms
The Flames rank 26th in goals per game (2.50) and 20th in goals against (2.96), with a power play at 15.8% (28th) and penalty kill at 83.7% (6th). The Wild are 8th in goals per game (3.17) and 12th in goals against (2.85), with a power play at 24.0% (8th) and penalty kill at 77.1% (25th).
Calgary Flames (Last 10 Games: 3-5-2, Avg. 2.5 GPG)
Recent Streak: Lost 1 (winless in 4: 0-2-2).
Key Results:
Jan. 25 vs. ANA: L 3-4 OT (Coronato PPG; defensive collapse).
Jan. 23 vs. WSH: L 1-3 (Frost goal; poor offense).
Jan. 21 @ ARI: L 2-3 (OT).
Jan. 19 vs. EDM: L 1-2.
Jan. 17 vs. VAN: W 4-2.
Strengths: Strong PK (96.3% in January, tops in NHL).
Weaknesses: Winless streak; Allowing 3.0 GAA.
Minnesota Wild (Last 10 Games: 5-3-2, Avg. 3.00 GPG)
Recent Streak: Lost 1 (4-1-1 in last 6).
Key Results:
Jan. 27 vs. CHI: W 4-3 SO (Comeback from 3-0 down; Eriksson Ek G+A).
Jan. 25 vs. FLA: L 3-4 (Boldy G).
Jan. 23 @ BOS: W 3-2 (OT).
Jan. 22 vs. DET: W 5-3.
Jan. 20 vs. OTT: L 4-5 (OT).
Strengths: Strong when scoring 3+ (26-3-6); 15-6-7 at home. Weaknesses: Recent home loss breaks streak.
Injury Report
Calgary Flames:
OUT: Samuel Honzek (LW, Upper Body, surgery; out 6 months).
OUT: Jake Bean (D, Undisclosed, surgery; out indefinitely).
OUT: Zayne Parekh (D, Upper Body).
OUT: Blake Coleman (LW, Upper Body; out until after Olympics/Feb. 26).
OUT: Cullen Potter (LW, OUT until Sep 15).
DAY-TO-DAY: John Beecher (C, Upper Body).
Minnesota Wild:
OUT: Zach Bogosian (D, Undisclosed; not ready to return).
OUT: Jonas Brodin (D, Lower Body; out 6-8 weeks post-Jan. 26).
OUT: Nico Sturm (Upper Body, Training Camp).
OUT: Mats Zuccarello (Lower Body, Training Camp).
Key Player Matchups
Expected starting lineups amid injuries:
Flames Forwards: Yegor Sharangovich – Mikael Backlund – Matt Coronato; Connor Zary – Nazem Kadri – Martin Pospisil; Jonathan Huberdeau – Morgan Frost – Matvei Gridin; Joel Farabee – Justin Kirkland – Adam Klapka; Ryan Lomberg.
Wild Forwards: Kirill Kaprizov – Marco Rossi – Matt Boldy; Marcus Johansson – Joel Eriksson Ek – Ryan Hartman; Jakub Lauko – Marat Khusnutdinov – Yakov Trenin; Frederick Gaudreau – Devin Shore – Liam Ohgren.
Flames Defense: MacKenzie Weegar – Rasmus Andersson; Kevin Bahl – Daniil Miromanov; Brayden Pachal – Jake Bean (out; adjustments).
Wild Defense: Brock Faber – Jared Spurgeon; Jonas Brodin (out; adjustments with Declan Chisholm) – Jacob Middleton; Jon Merrill – Zach Bogosian (out; adjustments).
Goalies: Flames – Dustin Wolf (35 GP, 15-21-2, 3.0 GAA, .896 SV%); Wild – Filip Gustavsson (30 GP, 20-5-5, 2.45 GAA, .914 SV%).
Key Matchups:
Nazem Kadri vs. Kirill Kaprizov: Kadri (9 G, 26 A) two-way play vs. Kaprizov (28 G, point in 28 of 54 GP).
MacKenzie Weegar vs. Brock Faber: Weegar (D matchup) vs. Faber (point in 25 of 54 GP).
Dustin Wolf vs. Filip Gustavsson: Wolf’s saves vs. Gustavsson’s consistency.
Series History
All-time: Wild 45-52-4-8 vs Flames (43.1% win rate for Wild).
No playoff meetings. Recently: Wild 4-4-2 in last 10 vs Flames.
Flames won last 4-1 on Dec. 4, 2025; Wild won 2-0 on Nov. 10, 2025.
This season: Tied 1-1.
Betting Trends
ATS Trends: Wild 4-1 in last 5; Flames 3-2 in last 5. Wild 16-10 ATS at home; Flames 8-16-2 ATS on road. Over in 2 of Wild’s last 5; Over in 16 of Flames’ 28 games at home.
Game Odds
Calgary Flames 5.5
Minnesota Wild – 185
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 28, 2026
