Venue & Game Details
Location: Grand Casino Arena, 199 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Bally Sports North / FanDuel Sports Network (CBJ Radio: 97.1 The Fan)
Team Records & Recent Form
Columbus Blue Jackets (0-1-0): Lost 2–1 to Nashville in their opener despite outshooting the Predators 38–27. Jet Greaves made 29 saves, but Columbus couldn’t solve Juuse Saros. They’ve now lost 4 of their last 5 overall (including preseason).
Minnesota Wild (1-0-0): Opened with a 5–0 shutout win over St. Louis, powered by Ryan Hartman’s two goals and a 27-save shutout from Filip Gustavsson. Minnesota has won 3 straight games dating back to preseason.
Recent Form (last 5 games, including preseason):
Blue Jackets: L–L–L–L–W
Wild: W–W–W–L–L
Injury Report
Blue Jackets: No major injuries reported; Elvis Merzlikins will start in goal after sitting out the opener.
Wild: No injuries listed.
Key Player Matchups
Kirill Kaprizov (MIN) vs. Johnny Gaudreau (CBJ): Elite wingers who drive their teams’ offenses; Kaprizov has 10 points in 7 career games vs. Columbus.
Ryan Hartman (MIN) vs. Boone Jenner (CBJ): Physical, two-way centers who set the tone with grit and leadership.
Goaltending: Filip Gustavsson (MIN) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ). Gustavsson is coming off a shutout, while Merzlikins makes his season debut after a shaky preseason.
Series History
All-time: Columbus leads 32-28-1-7, but Minnesota has the edge at home (17-13-5).
2024–25 season series: Wild swept 2–0, outscoring Columbus 7–2.
Recent trend: Blue Jackets are 6-4-2 in their last 12 games in Minnesota.
Betting Trends:
Wild were 23-18-3 at home last season.
Blue Jackets struggled on the road (14-23-4).
4 of the last 5 meetings have gone Under 5.5 goals.
Gustavsson posted a .921 SV% at home last season.
Summary
The Wild enter with momentum after a statement shutout win, while the Blue Jackets are still searching for their first goal at even strength. Kaprizov and Hartman headline Minnesota’s attack, while Gaudreau and Jenner must spark Columbus. With Gustavsson in form and Merzlikins making his season debut, goaltending will be decisive. Expect Minnesota’s depth and home-ice advantage to carry them to a second straight win.
Game Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets 5.5
Minnesota Wild – 162
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025
