Betting tips from AI for Minnesota Wild vs New Jersey Devils, 13 January 2026.

Minnesota's edge on paper and in recent betting form makes them the smart play at 1.86.
They own a 26-11-9 record and have covered four of five against the spread, while New Jersey is 22-20-2 and more fragile on depth.

The Devils will be missing Jonathon Kovacevic (knee), and Joel Eriksson Ek is only questionable for Minnesota. Public betting is split 50-50, which often signals sharp money nudging the favorite. Given Minnesota's superior record, strong ATS trend and the Devils' personnel hit, backing the Wild is the profitable, lower-variance play.

The Minnesota Wild enter this matchup against the New Jersey Devils as the clear favorites, and for good reason. Their impressive 26-11-9 record speaks volumes compared to New Jersey's 22-20-2. While the Wild have shown some inconsistency in regulation recently with a 3-2 straight-up record in their last five, their performance against the spread has been notably stronger, winning four of their last five. This suggests they often exceed expectations, even in tighter contests.

The Devils are hampered by the absence of center Jonathon Kovacevic due to a knee injury, a significant blow to their lineup. Although the Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek is questionable, Minnesota's deeper roster should be able to absorb that potential loss better. The public betting split at 50-50 is intriguing, hinting that sharp bettors might be finding value on one side. Given the Wild's overall strength and their strong ATS history, taking them at 1.86 against an injured Devils squad presents a profitable opportunity.

The Minnesota Wild enter this matchup with a clear advantage, boasting a superior 26-11-9 record compared to New Jersey's 22-20-2. Their recent form has been impressive, winning four of their last five against the spread, which suggests they're performing better than expected by oddsmakers.

The Devils will be missing a key defensive piece in Jonathon Kovacevic (knee), while Minnesota's potential absence of Joel Eriksson Ek is concerning but not definitive. The Wild's home ice advantage should also factor significantly into this matchup.

Despite Minnesota's odds at 1.86 suggesting they're moderate favorites, their 3-2 record in their last five straight-up games indicates some vulnerability. However, their strong against-the-spread performance reveals they're consistently exceeding expectations.

With public sentiment evenly split at 50-50, there's value in backing the Wild who have demonstrated superior consistency and have the better overall record. The Devils at 3.60 offer tempting value, but Minnesota's recent form and home advantage make them the smarter bet.

The Minnesota Wild welcome the New Jersey Devils to the Xcel Energy Center in a matchup that pits Central Division grit against Metropolitan resilience. With the Wild holding a superior 26-11-9 record compared to the Devils' 22-20-2, Minnesota enters as the clear favorite at 1.86, and for good reason—they've covered the spread in four of their last five games, showcasing a knack for delivering value even when the puck drops.

Injuries could tilt the ice: New Jersey's Jonathon Kovacevic is out with a knee issue, weakening their defensive core, while Minnesota's Joel Eriksson Ek is questionable with a lower body concern. If Ek plays, the Wild's forward depth remains a nightmare for opponents. Public money is split 50-50, hinting at sharp bettors eyeing the Devils at 3.60 for an upset, but the Wild's recent 3-2 straight-up record belies their ATS dominance.

Regulation draws at 4.25 tempt high rollers, but Minnesota's home-ice edge and form scream a straight victory. For a $1 bet, I'm riding the Wild to win outright—profitable and poised for payout.

The Minnesota Wild hold a clear advantage with a 26-11-9 record, outperforming New Jersey's 22-20-2. Their recent against-the-spread success, winning four of five, shows they consistently exceed expectations.

New Jersey's lineup is weakened by Jonathon Kovacevic's knee injury, while Minnesota's Joel Eriksson Ek is questionable. This disparity could tilt the ice in the Wild's favor.

Public betting is split 50-50, but sharp money may target Minnesota given their form and the Devils' setbacks. Odds list the Wild at 1.86, Devils at 3.60, and Draw at 4.25.

With home ice and superior depth, Minnesota is poised for a regulation victory, offering solid value at these odds.

The Minnesota Wild enter this matchup as the clear favorite with odds of 1.86, and for good reason. Their overall record of 26-11-9 speaks volumes about their consistency, especially compared to the Devils' 22-20-2 mark. More importantly, they’ve dominated recent head-to-heads, winning four of their last five games against the spread—a key indicator of performance in closely contested matchups.

New Jersey’s injury woes compound their challenges. The absence of center Jonathon Kovacevic weakens their depth down the middle, a critical area in ice hockey where faceoffs and defensive responsibility often dictate outcomes. Meanwhile, Minnesota might be without Joel Eriksson Ek, but his status is still questionable, leaving room for optimism that he could play. Even if he doesn’t, the Wild’s bench strength appears superior given their track record this season.

Public betting sentiment being evenly split at 50-50 hints at sharp money potentially favoring Minnesota. Casual bettors often overlook subtle factors like injuries or advanced metrics, which professionals exploit. With Minnesota’s stronger regulation defense and an impressive ATS record, backing them at 1.86 seems prudent despite the relatively low payout.

While New Jersey offers tempting value at 3.60, their inconsistent form and current roster limitations make it hard to justify siding with the underdog here. A draw at 4.25 is unlikely given the NHL’s fast-paced nature and these teams’ offensive firepower.