The Western Conference’s third-ranked squad, the Minnesota Wild (39-18-12), host the 14th-ranked group from the Western Conference, the Chicago Blackhawks (25-30-12), on Thursday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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Ahead of watching this matchup, here is a peek at which team we pick to bring home the victory in Thursday’s action on the ice.

The Blackhawks have gone 3-4-3 in the past 10 games, putting up 24 total goals (six power-play goals on 31 power-play opportunities during that span, for a conversion rate of 19.4%). They have allowed 28 goals to their opponents.

Wild vs. Blackhawks Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projection model for this encounter predicts a final score of Wild 4, Blackhawks 2.

Moneyline Pick: Wild (-250)
Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 5.8 goals on average)
Spread Pick: Pick Em

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Wild Splits and Trends

The Wild are 39-18-12 overall and 14-12-26 in overtime matchups.
In the 21 games Minnesota has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 12-2-7 record (good for 31 points).
The nine times this season the Wild ended a game with just one goal, they went 1-6-2 (four points).
Minnesota has taken 10 points from the 16 games this season when it scored exactly two goals (3-9-4 record).
The Wild have scored more than two goals in 44 games (35-3-6, 76 points).
In the 32 games when Minnesota has scored a lone power-play goal, it picked up 42 points after finishing 18-8-6.
In the 30 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Minnesota is 18-7-5 (41 points).
The Wild have been outshot by opponents 38 times, and went 20-11-7 (47 points).
Blackhawks Splits and Trends

The Blackhawks have a 25-30-12 record this season and are 7-12-19 in matchups that have needed overtime.
Chicago has earned 23 points (8-7-7) in its 22 games decided by one goal.
This season the Blackhawks registered just one goal in 11 games and they finished 0-10-1 in those matchups.
When Chicago has scored exactly two goals this season, they’ve earned 12 points (4-9-4 record).
The Blackhawks have earned 49 points in their 34 games with at least three goals scored.
This season, Chicago has capitalized on a lone power-play goal in 27 games and registered 31 points with a record of 13-9-5.
When outshooting its opponent this season, Chicago is 10-7-4 (24 points).
The Blackhawks have been outshot by opponents 43 times this season, and earned 38 points in those games.

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Team Stats Comparison

Wild vs. Blackhawks Game Time and TV Channel

When: Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN+
Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
Where: Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota

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