Game Preview Seattle Kraken @ Minnesota Wild
The Seattle Kraken travel to Xcel Energy Center to face the Minnesota Wild on Monday night in a Western Conference showdown between two teams trending in opposite directions. Seattle enters the game with renewed momentum after a strong week, while Minnesota looks to find defensive answers after several high-scoring losses at home.
This game brings together contrasting playing styles. The Kraken lean into structured, defensive hockey with a commitment to limiting high-danger chances. Minnesota, on the other hand, remains offensively capable but continues to be plagued by inconsistent goaltending and penalty troubles. The outcome may hinge on which team can control the pace and win the battle of special teams.
Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM ET. Both teams are fighting for positioning in the Western playoff picture, and this matchup offers important implications for bettors and fans alike. For updated trends, lines, and public betting insights, visit the NHL scores and odds page.
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Odds and Key Information Table
CategoryDetailsMatchupSeattle Kraken @ Minnesota WildDate and TimeMonday, December 8, 2025 – 8:00 PM ETLocationXcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MNOpening LineWild -115, Kraken -105Over/Under6.0 goalsSeattle Record12-11-3Minnesota Record10-13-2TV CoverageESPN+, ROOT NWLast MeetingMarch 2025 – Minnesota 3, Seattle 2
Seattle Kraken Outlook
The Kraken come into this game on the back of a 3-1 homestand, where they found offensive rhythm and tightened up defensively. Seattle currently holds a 12-11-3 record and sits in the middle of the Pacific Division. Their recent success has been driven by strong goaltending from Joey Daccord, who has quietly emerged as a reliable option between the pipes.
Offensively, the Kraken still lack a high-end scorer but have found scoring balance across four lines. Jared McCann and Matty Beniers lead the team in points, while Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen provide secondary scoring. The power play is converting at 21.3 percent and has scored in four of the last five games.
Seattle’s real strength lies in its defensive structure. They rank top 10 in expected goals against and are among the NHL’s best teams at limiting shot quality. That approach has helped them stay competitive in low-scoring contests, especially on the road where they are 6-5 against the spread.
To explore how Seattle matches up with the rest of the Pacific, visit the latest NHL Pacific Division predictions.
Minnesota Wild Outlook
The Wild have struggled this season to find rhythm under interim head coach Brett McLean following the early dismissal of Dean Evason. With a 10-13-2 record, Minnesota is last in the Central Division and has lost four of its last five games. The Wild remain a dangerous team at home in spurts, but defensive gaps and penalty trouble continue to haunt them.
Offensively, Minnesota still gets production from Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello, but beyond the top line, they’ve struggled to generate consistent chances. The power play sits at 19.4 percent, while the penalty kill is one of the worst in the league at just 73.6 percent. That weakness has made them vulnerable to teams that capitalize on special teams.
Goaltending is another issue. Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury have rotated starts, but both have save percentages below .900 this season. Defensive zone coverage has been inconsistent, and the team gives up nearly 3.4 goals per game—well above league average.
To see how the Wild’s numbers stack up across the West, check the latest Central Division NHL projections.
Key Matchup
The most critical battle in this game will be Seattle’s penalty kill versus Minnesota’s power play. The Kraken own a top-10 penalty kill at 84.2 percent and have allowed just one power play goal in their last five games. Their aggressive kill has done well disrupting zone entries and keeping shots to the outside.
Minnesota’s power play has been unreliable all season. Though Kaprizov and Boldy are threats from the left circle, the Wild struggle with puck movement and entries. If Seattle avoids penalties, it puts the game squarely in their hands at 5-on-5, where they’ve had more control metrics than Minnesota across the last ten games.
Games like this often hinge on the small edges, and special teams may once again prove to be the difference. For deeper matchup breakdowns, visit the expert NHL betting guide.
Betting Trends
Seattle is 4-1 in its last five road games and 7-2 in its last nine Monday matchups. The under has hit in five of the Kraken’s last seven games, reflecting their low-event, defensive style of play.
Minnesota is 3-7 in its last ten overall and just 2-5 in its last seven home games. The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last eight and are 4-9 against the spread when allowing three or more goals.
In head-to-head matchups, Seattle has won three of the last four meetings and has outshot Minnesota in each of those games. The under has also hit in five of the last six between these clubs. You can track more betting angles and H2H data through the NHL picks and predictions page.
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Prediction
Seattle has the more stable structure, better goaltending in current form, and a stronger penalty kill. Minnesota may have more offensive firepower at the top, but defensive breakdowns and a weak PK could put them in a difficult position.
The Kraken’s road form and ability to control play through smart puck management make them the stronger pick here. Unless Minnesota gets a standout performance from their goaltender, Seattle is likely to dictate the pace.
Final score prediction: Seattle Kraken 3, Minnesota Wild 2
Top pick: Seattle ML (-105)
Secondary lean: Under 6.0 goals
Why You Need Expert Picks
This game features tight odds, making it a sharp bettor’s spot. The side and total could move depending on starting goalie confirmation, so expert insight becomes vital to locking in value before the line shifts.
For full-game picks, period lines, and player props, visit the NHL picks section. You can also review Western Conference trends and futures through the latest NHL conference predictions and Stanley Cup outlook.
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