The Los Angeles Kings (16-14-9) host the Minnesota Wild (25-10-7) at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Kings fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 in their most recent game, while the Wild are coming off a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
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Ahead of watching this matchup, here is a glimpse at which club we pick to come out on top in Saturday's action on the ice.
The Wild are 7-1-2 in the past 10 games, totaling 41 total goals (seven power-play goals on 27 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 25.9%). They have conceded 23 goals to their opponents.
Kings vs. Wild Predictions for Saturday
Our computer model for this contest calls for a final score of Kings 3, Wild 2.
- Moneyline Pick: Kings (-124)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Wild (+1.5)
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Kings Splits and Trends
- The Kings have finished 5-9-14 in overtime matchups to contribute to an overall record of 16-14-9.
- Los Angeles is 9-5-4 (22 points) in its 18 games decided by one goal.
- In the 10 games this season the Kings recorded just one goal, they went 1-7-2 (four points).
- Los Angeles has scored two goals in 11 games this season (4-6-1 record, nine points).
- The Kings are 11-1-6 in the 18 games when they have scored three or more goals (to register 28 points).
- In the 17 games when Los Angeles has capitalized on a single power-play goal, it has an 8-6-3 record (19 points).
- In the 23 games when it outshot its opponent, Los Angeles is 9-9-5 (23 points).
- The Kings have been outshot by opponents in 15 games, going 7-4-4 to register 18 points.
Wild Splits and Trends
- The Wild have a 25-10-7 record this season and are 7-7-14 in matchups that have gone to overtime.
- Minnesota has earned 17 points (6-1-5) in its 12 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
- In eight games this season when the Wild ended a game with only one goal, they earned a total of four points (1-5-2).
- Minnesota has eight points (3-3-2) when scoring a pair of goals this season.
- The Wild have scored more than two goals in 26 games, earning 45 points from those contests.
- This season, Minnesota has capitalized on a lone power-play goal in 16 games has a record of 11-3-2 in those matchups.
- When it outshoots its opponent this season, Minnesota has posted a record of 10-3-4 (24 points).
- The Wild's opponents have had more shots in 24 games. The Wild finished 14-7-3 in those contests (31 points).
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Team Stats Comparison
| Kings Rank | Kings AVG | Wild AVG | Wild Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31st | 2.59 | Goals Scored | 3.12 | 13th |
| 3rd | 2.62 | Goals Allowed | 2.57 | 2nd |
| 18th | 27.9 | Shots | 28.2 | 15th |
| 9th | 26.8 | Shots Allowed | 29.5 | 26th |
| 31st | 15.7% | Power Play % | 22.63% | 9th |
| 22nd | 77.86% | Penalty Kill % | 77% | 24th |
Kings vs. Wild Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California
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