NHL Game Preview: Minnesota Wild (45-22-12) vs. Nashville Predators (37-32-10)

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Nashville Predators logo

Faceoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET
Venue:
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ (national), FDSNSO / FDSNNO / FDSNWIX / KSTC (local/regional)
Radio: KSTP 1500 AM / Wild app (Minnesota), 102.5 The Game / Predators app (Nashville)

This Central Division matchup pits a locked-in playoff team (Minnesota, currently 3rd in the Central and Western Conference) against a Nashville squad still fighting for wild-card positioning on home ice. The Wild enter as slight road favorites after a recent high-scoring loss, while the Predators look to capitalize on home advantage and defensive structure in what could be a low-event affair.

Team Records and Standings Context

Minnesota Wild (45-22-12, 102 points): 3rd in Central Division / 3rd in Western Conference. Strong +35 goal differential, 23-12-4 on the road, and one of the league’s better defensive teams (2.85 GAA). They have clinched a postseason berth and are pushing for higher seeding.

Nashville Predators (37-32-10, 84 points): 5th in Central Division / 8th in Western Conference. -21 goal differential, 20-15-3 at home. Still mathematically alive for a wild-card spot but need consistent results down the stretch.

Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)

Minnesota Wild (3-2-0):

L 5-4 vs. Dallas (4/9) — Kaprizov 2 goals

W vs. recent opponents (strong stretch prior)

Mixed but offensively potent, averaging 3.3 GPG lately.

Nashville Predators (3-2-0):

W (recent home/road split)

5-4-1 in last 10 overall, showing resilience but inconsistency on special teams.

Injury Report

Minnesota Wild:

Zach Bogosian (D) – Day-to-Day (Lower body / undisclosed)

Bogosian’s status is the only notable question mark; the Wild otherwise roll a healthy lineup with their top stars available.

Nashville Predators:

Nic Hague (D) – Day-to-Day (Upper body)

Roman Josi (D) – Day-to-Day (Upper body)

Both defensemen are being monitored daily. Their potential absence would further strain Nashville’s blue line depth.

Key Player Matchups

Kirill Kaprizov / Matt Boldy (MIN) vs. Nashville defense (Josi / Hague if active): Kaprizov’s speed and scoring (recent 2-goal game) will test Nashville’s depleted blueline.

Filip Forsberg / Steven Stamkos (NSH) vs. Wild blue line and goaltending: Forsberg remains Nashville’s offensive engine; Minnesota’s structured defense (led by Spurgeon) will aim to neutralize him.

Goaltending: Filip Gustavsson (MIN) vs. Nashville tandem: Gustavsson has been steady (.904 SV%); Nashville will lean on home goaltending stability.

Special teams: Minnesota’s power play (25.5%) vs. Nashville’s penalty kill (81.9%); both units have been opportunistic lately.

Minnesota’s star power and depth give them the edge in most matchups.

Series History (2025-26 Season)

Minnesota leads the season series 2-1:

February 4, 2026: Minnesota 6, Nashville 5 (OT)

December 23, 2025: Nashville 3, Minnesota 2 (OT)

November 4, 2025: Minnesota 3, Nashville 2 (OT)

All three games have gone to overtime or been decided by one goal, highlighting the rivalry’s competitiveness.

Betting Trends

Wild are strong as road favorites (-151 to -200 range) and 9-3 in recent similar spots.

Predators are 5-0 ATS in last 5 but have struggled SU lately.

Totals trend Under in several recent head-to-heads; both teams play structured, lower-event hockey.

Game Odds

Minnesota Wild               – 130

Nashville Predators        6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 10, 2026