The NHL action continues on Sunday, February 26 with a seven-game slate, and here you can read the best Blue Jackets vs. Wild betting pick and odds.

Columbus will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set when they visit Minnesota at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild are -263 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 5.5 goals. These inter-conference rivals will meet for the second time this season; the Wild won 2-0 in Columbus a couple of days ago.

Blue Jackets couldn’t score against the Wild

The Columbus Blue Jackets (18-35-4-1, 28-30 ATS) managed to record two wins in a row for the first time since mid-December as they beat the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars. Those victories came as a big surprise considering these teams are at the top of the Western Conference. However, the Blue Jackets returned to losing ways as they lost the next two to the Arizona Coyotes and Minnesota Wild. Columbus is still at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 41 points, which is the worst record in the entire NHL.

The Jackets failed to score in a 2-0 home defeat to the Wild. Minnesota scored a couple of goals in the opening period and maintained a two-goal lead for the remainder of the tilt. Columbus attempted 30 shots at the Wild’s goal, but Marc-Andre Fleury saved them all and recorded his second shutout of the campaign. This season, Johnny Gaudreau is the only Blue Jacket among the top 100 players in the league when it comes to points with 52 (G 15, A 37).

Elvis Merzlikins (6-15-1) is a probable goaltender against Minnesota on Sunday. The 28-year-old is allowing 4.21 goals per game this season with a .873 SV% and no shutouts.

RW Jakub Voracek (concussion), LW Gustav Nyquist (upper body), D Zach Werenski (shoulder), D Jake Bean (upper body), and RW Yegor Chinakhov (ankle) are out indefinitely.

Wild fell short of the Maple Leafs in OT

The Minnesota Wild (32-21-3-3, 24-35 ATS) were on a positive run of four consecutive wins but failed to make it five straight as they fell short of the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime. The Wild are now back home from a two-game road trip on which they beat the Columbus Blue Jackets and lost to Toronto. Minnesota is currently 7th in the Western Conference with 70 points, only five behind the leaders Vegas Golden Knights.

Brandon Duhaime gave the Wild a 1-0 lead in the first period in Toronto, but that was all from Minnesota offensively in this game. David Kampf tied the game and William Nylander scored a winner for the Maple Leafs in overtime to make it 2-1. Kirill Kaprizov is Minnesota’s best player this year; he registered 68 points (G 34, A 34). Mats Zuccarello has 56 (G 20, A 36), and Joel Eriksson chips in 46 points (G 21, A 25).

Filip Gustavsson (15-8-3) is expected to take his place between the sticks against Columbus on Sunday. The 24-year-old is conceding 2.11 goals per contest this year with a .928 SV% and one shutout.

D Jonas Brodin (lower body) is out indefinitely. D Jon Merrill (illness) is questionable to face the Blue Jackets on Sunday.

Trends:

Columbus:

  • 8-23 in the last 31 games playing without rest
  • 7-20 in the last 27 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation
  • 5-11 in the last 16 vs. Central Division rivals

Minnesota:

  • 4-1 in the last five overall
  • 12-3 in the last 15 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation
  • 20-6 in the last 26 vs. Metropolitan Division opponents

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Minnesota Wild Pick

Minnesota is not a great offensive team and is not even in the top 20 in that segment as the Wild score 2.81 goals per game. However, the Blue Jackets are absolutely the worst in the NHL when it comes to scoring goals as they average 2.41 gpg. While the Blue Jackets are also struggling defensively; allowing 3.66 goals per contest, which is the third-worst D in the league, the Wild have a top-10 defense that concedes 2.73 gpg. Columbus will play the second game of a back-to-back set after facing Edmonton on Saturday, and I am backing the hosts to secure an easy victory here.

Pick: Take the Wild at -1.5 Puck Line (+100)

The Total

The Wild failed to score more than two goals in six of their previous seven games, but they also allowed more than two on just two occasions in that span. Given they are facing the least efficient team in the NHL, I’d be surprised to see Columbus score more than two here. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Blue Jackets again fail to find the back of the net against Minnesota. Under is 16-4-2 in the last 22 meetings, while Under is 7-3-1 in the previous 11 H2H duels in Minneapolis.

Pick: Go Under 5.5 goals (-110)