Wild vs Devils on January 13
On January 13th, the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul will host a thrilling encounter in the NHL regular season as the Minnesota Wild take on the New Jersey Devils. This matchup is pivotal for both teams, as each is aiming to solidify its position in the tightly contested race for playoff spots in the Eastern and Western Conferences. The Wild, sitting mid-table in the Central Division, need a win to keep pace with their rivals, while the Devils, currently perched in the upper echelons of the Metropolitan Division, will look to extend their dominance and maintain momentum. With only a few months remaining in the regular season, every game counts – and this one promises to be a high-octane, tactical battle between two teams with contrasting styles. Expect fireworks on the ice as both sides bring their best in a must-win scenario.
Wild: Tactical Approach and Current Form
The Minnesota Wild come into this game with a mixed bag of results in their last five outings, posting a 2-2-1 record. Their form has been shaky, struggling to string together consistent wins, but they have shown flashes of their potential. The Wild’s tactical setup revolves around a strong forecheck and a balanced, physical approach to the game. Their emphasis is on suffocating opponents in their own zone with an aggressive forecheck while also relying on the quick transition to capitalize on the speed of their forwards. Statistically, the Wild rank 18th in shots on goal per game (31.2) and 20th in power play efficiency (19.3%). However, their defensive structure is strong, sitting 8th in goals allowed per game (2.7), thanks to a solid backline led by Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon. Their penalty kill is efficient, ranking 12th at 81.7% efficiency.
Key players to watch for the Wild include Kirill Kaprizov, who remains their engine offensively. The Russian winger is the team's top point scorer and a game-changer on the ice, capable of generating scoring chances from nothing. Another player to watch is Joel Eriksson Ek, who has become a key two-way forward, contributing on both ends of the ice. The Wild will be without the services of forward Marcus Foligno, who is currently dealing with an injury, and his absence is felt on both the physical and leadership fronts. His absence shifts the burden of physicality onto players like Ryan Hartman and Matt Dumba, who will need to step up to maintain their aggressive style of play.
Devils: Tactical Approach and Current Form
On the other hand, the New Jersey Devils enter this game with confidence, having won 4 of their last 5 games. Their offensive production has been a revelation this season, as they rank 3rd in goals per game (3.7), a testament to their high-octane offensive system. The Devils operate with a fast, up-tempo style, focusing on quick puck movement and utilizing their speed on the wings to exploit opposing defenses. The Devils’ top line, featuring Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier, is one of the most dynamic in the NHL, capable of scoring in a variety of ways. Their power play has been outstanding, ranking 4th in the league at 25.6% efficiency, while they are also adept at generating shots, averaging 34.1 per game – 4th in the league.
Defensively, the Devils have shown vulnerability at times, especially in terms of allowing high-danger scoring chances, but their goalie tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood has been solid enough to keep them competitive. The Devils’ penalty kill has been a point of concern, sitting 18th at 79.4% efficiency, which could be exploited by the Wild’s power play unit. Key players for New Jersey include the aforementioned Hughes, who is on pace for a career year and is capable of breaking the game open with his individual brilliance. Bratt has been equally effective, contributing with both goals and assists, while Hischier provides a steady presence in the middle. The Devils will be without defenseman Dougie Hamilton for this game, who is a crucial part of their power play and defensive core, but his absence may open the door for more ice time for the likes of John Marino and Jonas Siegenthaler to step up.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The Wild and Devils have met twice so far this season, with both games showcasing the contrasting styles of the two teams. The first matchup was a dominant 5-2 win for New Jersey, where the Devils’ speed and skill overwhelmed the Wild’s physicality. However, Minnesota bounced back in the second encounter with a 4-3 victory in a tightly contested game, capitalizing on their forecheck and defense. Historically, the Devils have had the upper hand in this matchup, winning 7 of the last 10 meetings, though the Wild’s recent success gives them confidence heading into this clash. The psychological edge may lie with the Devils, who have been one of the top teams in the league all season, but the Wild will be buoyed by the fact that they’ve managed to frustrate New Jersey in their most recent encounter.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
One of the most pivotal matchups in this game will be in the neutral zone, where the Wild’s aggressive forecheck will come up against the Devils’ quick transition game. If Minnesota can disrupt New Jersey’s breakout and limit their ability to generate odd-man rushes, they’ll have a much better chance of stifling the Devils’ offensive attack. Another crucial battle will be between the goaltenders, as both teams have shown that their offense is potent enough to break open games, meaning whichever goalie can make the bigger saves in key moments will likely tilt the balance in their team’s favor. The Wild’s Marc-André Fleury has been inconsistent, and his ability to keep the Devils from capitalizing on their scoring opportunities will be vital. Meanwhile, Vanecek’s ability to control rebounds and maintain composure will be critical for New Jersey.
Special teams could be another defining factor. If the Devils’ power play can exploit the Wild’s penalty kill, New Jersey could find themselves with plenty of opportunities to capitalize on the man advantage. However, if Minnesota can play a disciplined game and stay out of the box, they’ll be able to take advantage of New Jersey’s weaker penalty kill and could swing the momentum in their favor.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Given the high stakes for both teams, this game is likely to be a hard-fought affair from the opening faceoff. The Devils will look to control the tempo with their speed and skill, while the Wild will attempt to slow the game down with their physicality and strong defensive structure. Look for New Jersey to come out strong in the first period, trying to establish their offensive rhythm early. Minnesota will need to weather the storm in the opening 20 minutes and find a way to generate offense against a defense that can be prone to mistakes. Ultimately, I see New Jersey edging this one out. Their superior offensive depth, combined with Minnesota’s inability to consistently score, should give the Devils the upper hand.
Prediction: Devils win 4-2. Expect a couple of power-play goals for New Jersey, and for Jack Hughes to play a pivotal role in the game’s outcome. The Wild will put up a fight, but their lack of offensive firepower will be their undoing.
Final Thoughts
This match will answer one critical question: Can Minnesota’s defense and physical play stifle the high-flying Devils’ offense? With the stakes so high, the Wild must play a near-perfect game to overcome the offensive juggernaut that is New Jersey. The outcome of this clash could have major implications for both teams as they look ahead to the postseason.
