Wild Edge Predators in Thrilling Overtime Finish

In a thrilling overtime finish, the Minnesota Wild defeated the Nashville Predators 6-5 at Bridgestone Arena on February 5, 2026. This victory allowed the Wild to extend their lead in the season series against the Predators, now holding a 3-1 advantage. The game showcased a back-and-forth battle, with both teams demonstrating offensive prowess and resilience.

The Predators entered the game with a home record of 26-23-7, while the Wild boasted a stronger away record of 34-14-10. Nashville's recent form showed a mixed bag of results, with a record of 5-5 over their last ten games, including a two-game winning streak. They averaged 3.7 goals scored while allowing 4.0 goals per game during this stretch. In their last five games, the Predators recorded a record of 2-3, with an average of 3.2 goals scored and 3.8 goals allowed.

Conversely, Minnesota was riding a four-game winning streak and had a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, averaging 4.2 goals scored and 3.4 goals allowed. Their recent form included impressive victories, such as a 7-3 win against the Edmonton Oilers and a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The Wild's away record was strong, sitting at 3-1 in their last four away games.

The matchup was anticipated not only for the teams’ standings but also for the ongoing rivalry, with the Predators looking to even the series. Previous meetings this season had seen the Wild take the upper hand, winning two of the three encounters prior to this game.

In terms of injuries, the Wild were without goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who was out due to a hip injury. This absence could have impacted Minnesota's defensive strategy, but the team managed to adapt effectively throughout the game.

The betting market reflected Minnesota's strong form, with DraftKings listing the Wild as favorites at -125, while the Predators were at +105. The spread was set at 1.5, with a total of 6.5 goals for the match.

The game unfolded with a high-scoring first period, where the Wild initially took a 3-1 lead. Matt Boldy opened the scoring for Minnesota, followed by goals from Steven Stamkos and Erik Haula for Nashville, bringing the score to 3-3 by the end of the first.

In the second period, the Predators took a brief lead with goals from Luke Evangelista and Yakov Trenin, making it 4-3. However, the Wild responded with a goal from Vladimir Tarasenko, tying the game at 4-4. The back-and-forth continued into the third period, where Roman Josi scored for Nashville, bringing the score to 5-5.

The game reached overtime, where Jared Spurgeon scored the decisive goal for Minnesota, sealing the victory at 6-5. The thrilling conclusion highlighted the intensity of the matchup and the competitive spirit of both teams.

As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this game. The Predators will aim to improve their defensive consistency, while the Wild will seek to maintain their offensive momentum and capitalize on their recent success.