NHL Predictions: Vancouver Canucks vs Minnesota Wild, April 2nd

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Minnesota Wild. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions: Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild

2025-2026 Season Series: Vancouver 1-1 Minnesota

Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 5:00 p.m. Pacific

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNP, FDSNNO, FDSNWI,  ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice

Location: Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota

The Vancouver Canucks conclude their four-game road trip with a faceoff against former captain Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild. Vancouver sits at 22-44-8 after 74 games, with 52 points, while Minnesota sits at 41-21-12 after 74 games, with 94 points. This marks the third and final meeting between these two teams. Vancouver won the last meeting, 4-2, on December 6th.

The Canucks Story

Vancouver celebrated April Fool’s Day with a wild 8-6 win over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. A welcome sight to be sure after six consecutive losses. With the win, Vancouver avoided clinching last place in the division for another day. However, a loss tonight or a Chicago Blackhawks win will guarantee the best NHL Draft Lottery odds for the Canucks.

Brock Boeser scored a hat trick in Tuesday’s game and now has scored nine goals in his last 15 games. He has gotten 21 goals on the season now, which is not too shabby considering his poor performances earlier in the year.

The Wild Story

Quinn Hughes will face Vancouver for the first time since he was traded to Minnesota. He has played as well as you would expect him to play on a more successful team, as he has recorded 49 points in 42 games with the Wild.

As for the team at large, they are in a peculiar spot. They are likely too far behind the Dallas Stars at this point in the season to push for second place in the Central Division, and their third spot in the division is assured. Motivation may be a factor in the Wild’s middling run as of late, only going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.

Starting Goalies

Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.

For Vancouver, we expect Nikita Tolopilo to get the start. In 16 games this season, he has a 5-7-2 record, a 3.53 goals-against average, and an .886 save percentage.

For Minnesota, Filip Gustavsson should get the start in goal. In 46 games this season, he has a 26-13-6 record, a 2.57 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage.

Prediction and Best Bets

Fresh off a wild game, the Canucks may look to string two wins together, but on paper, it is hard to bet against the Wild to win this one. We will play it safe here and bet on the favourites.

Prediction: Wild win 5-3.

Best Bets

To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Canucks, we will pick Brock Boeser to get a goal. On the Wild side, we will pick Kirill Kaprizov to pot one.

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