The Minnesota Wild travel to face the Nashville Predators on April 11, 2026, in an important Western Conference matchup at Bridgestone Arena. Minnesota are trying to secure their strong position near the top of the Central Division, while Nashville are still fighting to stay in the playoff race. Both teams have offensive talent and motivation late in the season, which could lead to a competitive and intense game.
Wild vs Predators Match Details
| Match | Minnesota Wild vs Nashville Predators |
|---|---|
| League | NHL 2025-26 Season |
| Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Time | 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Venue | Bridgestone Arena |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| TV Channel | ESPN+ |
Match Preview
Minnesota enter this game with one of the strongest records in the Western Conference. The Wild have relied on a balanced offense throughout the season and have been especially dangerous in transition. Their ability to score on the rush and convert power-play chances has made them a difficult opponent for many teams.
Despite their strong season, Minnesota recently suffered a narrow 5-4 loss against the Dallas Stars. Even in defeat, the Wild showed their offensive strength with multiple players contributing goals. Kirill Kaprizov continues to lead the team with outstanding performances, while Matt Boldy and Mats Zuccarello provide consistent scoring support.
The Nashville Predators are currently fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. Their latest game ended in a 4-1 defeat against Utah, which slowed their recent momentum. Nashville have been competitive throughout the season but have struggled with defensive consistency in several key games.
However, the Predators still have dangerous offensive players capable of producing big moments. Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly continue to lead Nashville’s scoring, while veteran defenseman Roman Josi remains a key contributor on both ends of the ice. Playing at home could also give Nashville an extra boost in this crucial matchup.
Western Conference Standings Snapshot
| Team | GP | W | L | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | 79 | 47 | 32 | 106 |
| Minnesota Wild | 79 | 45 | 34 | 102 |
| Utah Mammoth | 78 | 42 | 36 | 90 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 78 | 33 | 45 | 85 |
| Nashville Predators | 79 | 37 | 42 | 84 |
Minnesota remain in a strong position near the top of the standings, while Nashville still need points to remain competitive in the wild-card race.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Wild Moneyline | -137 |
| Predators Moneyline | +114 |
| Puck Line | Wild -1.5 |
| Total Goals | 6.5 |
The betting market gives Minnesota a slight advantage due to their stronger season performance.
Minnesota Wild Recent Form
Minnesota have continued to play strong hockey recently, producing several impressive offensive performances.
Wild Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 10 | at Stars | Loss 4-5 |
| Apr 8 | vs Kraken | Win 5-2 |
| Apr 5 | at Red Wings | Win 5-4 |
| Apr 4 | at Senators | Win 4-1 |
| Apr 3 | vs Canucks | Win 5-2 |
Minnesota have scored four or more goals in four of their last five games.
Nashville Predators Recent Form
Nashville have produced mixed results recently while trying to stay competitive in the playoff race.
Predators Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 10 | vs Mammoth | Loss 1-4 |
| Apr 8 | vs Ducks | Win 5-0 |
| Apr 7 | vs Kings | Loss 2-3 |
| Apr 5 | vs Sharks | Win 6-3 |
| Apr 3 | vs Kings | Win 5-4 |
The Predators have shown offensive potential but have also allowed several goals in recent games.
Head-to-Head Record
Minnesota and Nashville have faced each other several times in recent seasons, with the Wild holding a slight advantage overall.
Recent Meetings
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Feb 5, 2026 | Wild 6-5 Predators |
| Dec 24, 2025 | Predators 3-2 Wild |
| Nov 5, 2025 | Wild 3-2 Predators |
Many of these matchups have been closely contested and often produce multiple goals.
Projected Lineups
Minnesota Wild Projected Lineup
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Forward Line 1 | Kirill Kaprizov – Ryan Hartman – Mats Zuccarello |
| Forward Line 2 | Marcus Johansson – Joel Eriksson Ek – Matt Boldy |
| Forward Line 3 | Vladimir Tarasenko – Danila Yurov – Yakov Trenin |
| Forward Line 4 | Nick Foligno – Michael McCarron – Marcus Foligno |
| Defense Pair 1 | Quinn Hughes – Brock Faber |
| Defense Pair 2 | Jonas Brodin – Jared Spurgeon |
| Defense Pair 3 | Jake Middleton – Jeff Petry |
| Goalies | Filip Gustavsson, Jesper Wallstedt |
Nashville Predators Projected Lineup
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Forward Line 1 | Filip Forsberg – Ryan O’Reilly – Steven Stamkos |
| Forward Line 2 | Gustav Nyquist – Tommy Novak – Luke Evangelista |
| Forward Line 3 | Erik Haula – Colton Sissons – Kiefer Sherwood |
| Forward Line 4 | Cole Smith – Yakov Trenin – Michael McCarron |
| Defense Pair 1 | Roman Josi – Alexandre Carrier |
| Defense Pair 2 | Nicolas Hague – Dante Fabbro |
| Defense Pair 3 | Tyson Barrie – Luke Schenn |
| Goalies | Juuse Saros, Justus Annunen |
Injury Report
Both teams are relatively healthy entering this matchup, with only minor lineup adjustments expected.
Minnesota Wild Injury Report
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Zach Bogosian | Expected return |
Nashville Predators Injury Report
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Nicolas Hague | Expected return |
Key Players to Watch
Kirill Kaprizov continues to lead Minnesota’s offense with outstanding scoring ability and playmaking. Matt Boldy has also been one of the team’s most consistent scorers, while Quinn Hughes contributes heavily from the blue line.
For Nashville, Filip Forsberg remains the biggest offensive threat and continues to produce goals consistently. Ryan O’Reilly provides leadership and playmaking in the top line, while Roman Josi plays a major role in both offense and defense.
Key Players Table
| Team | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Wild | Kirill Kaprizov | Team scoring leader |
| Wild | Matt Boldy | Top offensive winger |
| Wild | Quinn Hughes | Offensive defenseman |
| Predators | Filip Forsberg | Leading goal scorer |
| Predators | Ryan O’Reilly | Two-way center |
| Predators | Roman Josi | Defensive leader |
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Wild | Predators |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 Games | 6-4 | 5-4-1 |
| Goals Scored Avg | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Goals Allowed Avg | 3.1 | 2.9 |
| Power Play | 15.9% | 18.2% |
Both teams have similar offensive numbers, which could lead to an evenly matched contest.
Best Player Props
| Player | Prop Pick |
|---|---|
| Filip Forsberg | Under 3.5 Shots |
| Kirill Kaprizov | Anytime Goal |
| Ryan Hartman | Anytime Point |
These props focus on players who have consistently contributed to their teams’ offensive production.
Best Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Minnesota Wild |
| Total Goals | Under 6.5 |
| Player Prop | Filip Forsberg Under 3.5 Shots |
Minnesota’s strong overall roster and road performances give them a slight edge in this matchup.
Where to Watch Wild vs Predators
Fans can watch the Minnesota Wild vs Nashville Predators game live on ESPN+. The matchup will take place at Bridgestone Arena with puck drop scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| TV Channel | ESPN+ |
| Venue | Bridgestone Arena |
| Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Time | 5:00 p.m. ET |
Final Prediction
This game features two teams with playoff motivation late in the season. Minnesota have been more consistent throughout the year and continue to produce strong offensive performances. Nashville will try to take advantage of home ice and their experienced roster to keep their playoff hopes alive.
If Minnesota maintain their attacking pace and control the puck through their top lines, they should have the advantage in this matchup. Nashville will likely create chances as well, but the Wild’s depth and offensive balance could prove decisive.
Predicted Score
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | 4 |
| Nashville Predators | 3 |
Minnesota are slightly favored to win a close game that could remain competitive until the final period.







