🏒 Stanley Cup Predictions: The Kaprizov & Hughes Era Has Arrived for the Wild

The Minnesota Wild's Stanley Cup odds sit at +1900, which is genuinely confusing to me - they should be closer to +1000 as the unofficial second half of the NHL season begins. Talk about value.

Between a top-six ripe with talent, a huge trade acquisition in Quinn Hughes on the back end, and elite goaltending from Filip Gustavsson and Jepser Wallstedt, the State of Hockey may be celebrating its first Stanley Cup when all is said and done. That's why we're riding with them as part of my Stanley Cup predictions.  

📈 Minnesota Wild Stanley Cup odds

If you want to double-dip in this market, taking the Wild to also win the Western conference at +850 at our best sports betting sites is also a smart bet to make. Before I dig deep into why the Wild are winning the Cup, just know I'm betting it alongside you at 1u ($50).

💼 The case opens: Kaprizov and the top six

The primary reason the Wild are positioned to win the 2026 Stanley Cup is the historic play of Kirill Kaprizov. The franchise is playing at an MVP level, having recently surpassed 70 points in just 58 games. With his massive $17-million AAV contract extension set to kick in next season, the Wild are more all-in than ever, which ultimately led to the trade of superstar Quinn Hughes, and will likely lead to a huge splash on the March 6 trade deadline. The time to buy in on the Wild is now for this reason alone.

Before we get into the defense, it's the top-six that's been doing work, highlighted by an emergent campaign from Matt Boldy, who ranks top 20 in expected goals for and has registered 60 points while riding a seven-game points streak.

The quiet depth scoring, with Joel Eriksson Ek, Mats Zuccarello, two-way forward Marcus Johansson, and even veteran Vladimir Tarasenko will allow the team to go deep into the playoffs, and fight off the grind of multiple seven-game series.

📖 Turn the page: Elite blue line depth

The Wild’s defensive corps has undergone a massive transformation, highlighted by the blockbuster acquisition of Hughes. By pairing a generational skater like Hughes with the defensive reliability of Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin, Minnesota now boasts a blue line that can dictate the pace of play. The unit is a big reason why the Wild are 11th in the NHL in goals against at even strength.

Faber, who is averaging 25 minutes of ice time per game, has emerged as a shutdown force with the ability to move the puck in the offensive zone, while Hughes' ability to quarterback the power play has turned the Wild's special teams into a weapon. Having a veteran like Jared Spurgeon playing top-four minutes is just the icing on the cake. This balanced defensive structure is designed for the playoffs, where zone exits and puck possession are the difference between a first-round exit and a deep run.  

🥅 Case closed: Generational goaltending arrives

The goaltending duo of Gustavvson and Wallstedt is the best in hockey, and both will be fresh for the playoffs, which is an underrated aspect of having 1A, 1B tandem.

Between the two, they own seven shutouts, and their .910 average SV% would rank them top 10 in the NHL. Gustavvson, who will likely get the bulk of the work come playoff time, owns a 2.72 xGAA, which places him among the elite goaltenders in the NHL; Wallstedt has transitioned from top prospect to a legitimate Vezina Trophy candidate in 2026, posting a league-leading .925 save percentage through the first half of the season. While yes, Gustavvson might be the guy in between the pipes on the big stage, both are capabale of stealing a game - or series - if needed.

📋 Minnesota Wild stats 2026