The Washington Capitals look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. The Minnesota Wild need a win after losing 5 of their last 8 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild prediction.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals recently beat the Ducks while splitting two games with the Blues. The Washington Capitals are averaging 2.34 goals per game and are scoring on 14.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Dylan Strome leads Washington with 16 goals, John Carlson has 23 assists and Alex Ovechkin has 144 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.86 goals per game and are killing 80.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 70 goals on 665 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 41 goals on 553 shots.
Washington Capitals Team Facts
- The Capitals have lost each of their last nine games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the Capitals’ last eight games at Xcel Energy Center.
- The Capitals have lost the first period in six of their last seven games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last three games against opponents on a winning streak.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild rebounded from a loss to the Lightning with wins over the Panthers and Hurricanes. The Minnesota Wild are averaging 2.98 goals per game and are scoring on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Joel Eriksson Ek leads Minnesota with 19 goals, Mats Zuccarello has 27 assists and Kirill Kaprizov has 131 shots on goal. Defensively, the Minnesota Wild are allowing 3.37 goals per game and are killing 72.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Filip Gustavsson has allowed 79 goals on 758 shots faced, and Marc-Andre Fleury has given up 63 goals on 612 shots.
Minnesota Wild Team Facts
- The Wild have lost six of their last seven games at Xcel Energy Center.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven night games at Xcel Energy Center following a road win.
- The Wild have won the third period in four of their last five games against the Capitals.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last nine games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild prediction
I’d consider the Washington Capitals and the plus money, but they’ve had issues with consistency all year and their offense lets them down more times than not. The Minnesota Wild are in a bit of a funk, but they’re home here where they play their best hockey, and they have to feel great after beating the Panthers and Canes on the road. Those are the sort of wins that can build the confidence of a team and be the turning point that starts a nice winning stretch. I don’t have much confidence in the Capitals against good teams or on the road. I’ll lay the cheap price with the Wild at home.