NHL: Wild vs. Kings Picks and Odds | January 5, 2026

Written by: Nick Zanghi
Published: Mon Jan 05, 2026, 1:30 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes

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We have a West Coast battle tonight to end off the slate. The Minnesota Wild will take on the Los Angeles Kings at the Crypto.com Arena. This is the second game of a back-to-back between the two teams and the Kings won 5-4 on Saturday.
Minnesota is 25-10-8 this season and second in the Central Division. They come into this game off the loss to the Kings on Saturday. The Wild are 6-1-3 in their last ten games and 12-6-3 on the road this year.
This team is flying high and are the second-best team in the league. Their offense ranks in the middle of the league for both goals scored and shots on goal per game. Minnesota's power play is the ninth best in the league, and they keep finding ways to get the job done.
Defense and goaltending are the key factors of this team. The Wild rank second best for goals allowed per game but are in the bottom for shots on goal allowed per game and penalty kill. The goals allowed per game is a real testament to the goaltending.
Goalie Filip Gustavsson is expected to start. He is 14-8-4 this season with a 2.45 GAA and a .912 save percentage. Backup goalie Jesper Wallstedt has been fantastic as well with a 11-2-4 record.
Check out the odds for this matchup and other NHL games at the best online sportsbooks.
Los Angeles will try to sweep Minnesota in back-to-back games

Kings forward Andrei Kuzmenko takes a shot on Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt.
The Kings are 17-14-9 this year and fifth in the Pacific Division. They come into this game off the win on Saturday vs. the Wild. Los Angeles is 3-6-1 in their last ten games and 6-9-4 at home this year.
For some reason, the Kings have been a better road team over the past few years. Their offense hasn't been the best this year, ranking in the bottom of the league for goals scored and middle of the league for shots on goal per game. Both their power play and shooting percentage are terrible as well.
They do play good defense though and that's what keeps them in games. LA ranks third in goals allowed and ninth in shots on goal allowed per game. They commit around four penalties per game and kill of only 78% of those penalties.
In net, we're expected to see Darcy Kuemper. He is 11-7-6 this year with a 2.33 GAA and a .911 save percentage. Let's check out the odds and get into the Wild vs. Kings picks.
Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Odds and Game Information
Wild vs. Kings Betting Odds – January 5
Puck Line
- Minnesota Wild +1.5 (-300)
- Los Angeles Kings -1.5 (+210)
Moneyline
- Minnesota Wild -110
- Los Angeles Kings -110
Totals
- Over 5.5 (-115)
- Under 5.5 (-105)
Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit
Wild vs. Kings Game Information
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Date: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Puck Drop: 10:30 p.m. EST
- TV: FDSW, FDSN, FDSWI
Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings Picks and Prediction

Wild forwards Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprisov celebrate together after scoring a goal.
Wild vs. Kings Picks and Predictions: Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-110) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick
If it wasn't for yesterday, we'd be looking at way different lines than we are. But, since we are, we're taking advantage of the value on Minnesota. They just lost yesterday after coming back and can get the job done.
Both teams played their asses of the other night, and we should see more of the same, but I think the Wild will be hungry for that win. Redemption is a great feeling, especially when you can get it right away. The wound is still fresh from before.
The first play I like is Filip Gustavsson over his saves line. The Kings put up 32 shots in regulation the other night and the line should drop in the high 20's. I see LA peppering the net again and clearing the 30 shot mark to cash this.
Another play I like is Matt Boldy is get 3 or more shots on net for -122. Great value for a guy who just had 5 shots last game and hit in three of his last five games. Boldy has cemented himself as a huge piece of this offense and will be needed to fire away if they want to win.
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Nick Zanghi
Nick Zanghi is an avid hockey fan who loves to bet on the NHL Props. He has also found a liking for the WNBA. Born and raised on LI, NZ is a lifelong Islanders #isles fan and a new NY Liberty fan #LIGHTITUPNYL. When not watching or attending sporting events, he enjoys grilling and time with his wife and kids.
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