Wild vs. Predators Prediction & Picks - Oct. 1

The Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators hit the ice in the first game of the season at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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As the action begins for the start of the NHL season, here is who we predict will take home the victory in Thursday's action.

Wild vs. Predators Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projection model for this encounter expects a final result of Predators 4, Wild 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Predators (+120)
• Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Predators (+1.5)

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Wild Splits and Trends

• The Wild had a 46-24-12 record overall, with a 16-14-30 record in contests that needed overtime, last season.
• Minnesota was 17-5-9 (43 points) in its 31 games decided by one goal.
• In the 11 games last season the Wild scored just one goal, they went 1-8-2 (four points).
• Minnesota scored exactly two goals in 20 games last season (4-12-4 record, 12 points).
• The Wild scored at least three goals 62 times, and went 46-8-8 in those games (to register 100 points).
• In the 38 games when Minnesota recorded a lone power-play goal, it picked up 47 points by finishing 20-11-7.
• In the 40 games when it outshot its opponent, Minnesota was 23-12-5 (51 points).
• The Wild's opponent had more shots in 51 games last season. The Wild went 27-15-9 in those matchups (63 points).

Predators Splits and Trends

• The Predators had a record of 38-34-10 last season and were 10-10-20 in overtime games.
• Nashville picked up 38 points (15-8-8) in its 31 games decided by one goal.
• Last season the Predators recorded just one goal in nine games, and they picked up two points (1-8-0).
• Nashville picked up 19 points (6-16-7 record) last season when scoring exactly two goals .
• The Predators scored more than two goals 41 times, accumulating 65 points (31-7-3).
• Last season Nashville recorded a lone power-play goal in 35 games, posting a record of 17-14-4.
• When it outshot its opponent last season, Nashville posted a record of 15-14-4 (34 points).
• The Predators' opponents had more shots in 46 games last season. The Predators went 20-20-6 in those games (46 points).

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Team Stats Comparison (2025-26)

Wild vs. Predators Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee

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