NHL Predictions: Jan. 11 San Jose Sharks vs. Minnesota Wild

Welcome back to NHL Predictions! In their fifth game of 2025, the San Jose Sharks take on one of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild. Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. Let’s look at the Sharks facing off against the Wild. Finally, be sure to check out more predictions for all the NHL’s games throughout the 2024-25 season.

NHL Predictions

Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks

Head-to-Head: Wild 1-0 Sharks

Time: 10 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)

TV: FDSNNOX, NBCSCA, FDSNWI, ESPN+

The First Matchup

These two teams met back in November when the Wild won 5-2. Minnesota was led by two of their big guns, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. Kaprizov assisted three goals, while Boldy found the back of the net twice. The Wild generated 30 shots and Vitek Vanecek made just 26 saves. San Jose is looking to change their recent fortunes and pick up a win, while Minnesota is aiming to keep the good times rolling.

Sharks Vying for Rare Western Conference Win

You’d have to go back to December 12 to find the Sharks’ last win against a Western Conference team. Since then, the team is 0-8-1 against the West. Their last game against the Utah Hockey Club is a microcosm of their struggles. Utah won 2-1 and the Sharks struggled to generate any offence with just 19 shots. Fabian Zetterlund scored and Mikael Granlund assisted the lone goal, providing a nice spark for San Jose’s big guns. Otherwise, the team squandered a good performance from Alexandar Georgiev and surrendered a goal late in the third.

With tonight’s game against Minnesota being the second half of a back-to-back, Yaroslav Askarov will be between the pipes, and Georgiev will rest. Additionally, Nikolai Kovalenko missed Friday’s game, and his status for Saturday is still up in the air.

Wild Looking to Keep Pace in Central Division Race

The biggest thing for Minnesota heading into this game is the absence of some key players. Kaprizov, Brock Faber and Marc-André Fleury each did not travel with the team. Instead, the team will have to rely on youngster Marco Rossi, who’s been red-hot of late. He has three goals and eight points in his last five games, giving Minnesota a big offensive lift. Despite playing in just 29 games, Mats Zuccarello sits with 27 points, fourth on the team. Defensively, veterans Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon will also miss Saturday’s contest. The hobbled Wild will be led by Jacob Middleton, who will play heavy minutes.

In net, Filip Gustavsson will get the nod in Fleury’s absence. He’s been solid, having posted a .918 SV% and three shutouts. The Wild are looking to pick up a win despite missing some key talent.

Prediction

As mentioned, the Wild are absolutely riddled with injuries. Much of their key offensive production is missing and a lot of their defensive core is out as well. For San Jose, Askarov starting will give them a good chance to win, and the team should come into this matchup with some juice. Expect San Jose to find a way to pull one out in extra time.

Prediction: San Jose wins 3-2 (OT)

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