Capitals vs Wild Prediction 10/17/25 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Capitals vs Wild prediction for this NHL game on Friday, October 17th at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Washington Capitals Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals are 3-1-0 this year after they defeated Tampa Bay by a score of 3-2 in overtime in their last game. Washington tied the game at two early in the third period and they won just 1:19 into overtime. The Capitals out shot Tampa Bay by a total of 28-19, won 53.6% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Washington also recorded 23 hits and eight blocked shots in the win. The Capitals got goals from Protas, Wilson, and Chychrun, while Chychrun, Wilson, and Ovechkin added three hits each. Washington started Thompson in net, who stopped 17 out of 19 shots, which was an .895 save percentage. 

Washington started the season with a loss to the Bruins, but defeated the Islanders and Rangers after that. The Capitals have scored 2.25 goals per game and they have allowed 1.75 goals against per game, while also going 9.1% on the power play and 55.6% on the penalty kill this season. Aliaksei Protas has led Washington with three goals and two assists, while Tom Wilson has added two goals and three assists this season. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Logan Thompson, who is 2-1-0 with a 2.01 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this year. 

Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Minnesota Wild are 2-2-0 this season after they lost to Dallas by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Minnesota cut the deficit from 3-0 to 3-2 in the third period, but allowed the last two goals to seal the loss. The Wild out shot Dallas by a total of 41-25, won 46% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Minnesota also recorded 26 hits and 16 blocked shots in the loss. The Wild got goals from Boldy and Kaprizov, while Trenin led the team with seven hits in the game. Minnesota started Gustavsson, who stopped 20 out of 23 shots, which was an .870 save percentage. 

Minnesota won their first and third game of the season against the Blues and Kings, but did lose their second game against the Blue Jackets. The Wild have scored 3.50 goals per game and they have allowed 3.75 goals against per game, while also going 47.6% on the power play and 60% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with four goals and five assists, while Matt Boldy has added four goals and four assists this season. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 1-2-0 with a 3.06 goals against average and an .888 save percentage this season. 

Why the Washington Capitals will win

• The Wild have lost seven of their last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Capitals have won eight of their last nine home games following a win.
• The Capitals have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine home games following a win.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six road games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Capitals have won the third period in each of their last seven home games after coming off overtime.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Capitals’ last nine home games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Wild’s last six games as road underdogs against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 10 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last nine games as underdogs.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Tom Wilson has scored a goal in three of the Capitals’ last four home games.
• Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Capitals’ last nine games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
• Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in 11 of the Capitals’ last 12 games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
• Aliaksei Protas ranks T5th in the league for multi-goal game (1) this season.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one assist in five of the Wild’s last six road games.
• Matthew Boldy has recorded at least one point in nine of the Wild’s last 10 night games.
• Matthew Boldy has scored at least one goal in nine of the Wild’s last 10 night games.
• Kirill Kaprizov ranks T1st in the league for Points (9) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Washington Capitals rank 3rd in the league for goals against per game this season (1.75).
• The Washington Capitals rank 30th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (55.56%).
• The Minnesota Wild rank 1st in the league in power play percentage this season (47.62%).
• The Minnesota Wild rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (60.00%).

Capitals vs Wild Prediction 

Washington comes into this matchup on a three game winning streak and they have allowed just four total goals in those three games. The Capitals are 1-1-0 at home this year, while the Wild are 1-1-0 on the road. Minnesota has alternated wins and losses to start the season, but they have allowed 15 goals in their last three games. The Capitals are playing incredible defense right now and I like them to get another win here.