In this article we will formulate a Wild vs Capitals prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 16th at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 19-9-5 this season after they defeated Boston by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Minnesota scored the first five goals in the game and cruised to the win, but did allow two goals in the third to ruin the shutout. The Wild recorded 31 shots on goal, won 48.5% of the face-offs, and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got goals from Boldy, Hartman, Kaprizov (2), Hughes, and Spurgeon, while Gustavsson stopped 29 out of 31 shots, which was a .935 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Senators by a score of 3-2 and the Stars by a score of 5-2. The Wild have won four games in a row and they are currently third in the Central standings with 43 points. Minnesota has scored 2.91 goals per game and they have allowed 2.61 goals against per game, while also going 23.0% on the power play and 78.5% on the penalty kill this season. Matt Boldy has led Minnesota with 18 goals and 19 assists, while Kirill Kaprizov has added 20 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Jesper Wallstedt, who is 9-1-2 with a 1.95 goals against average and a .937 save percentage this season.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals are 18-10-4 this year after they lost to Winnipeg by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Washington allowed the first five goals in the game, but scored late in the third to avoid the shutout. The Capitals were out shot by a total of 35-25, won 56.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Washington got their lone goal from Chychrun, while Thompson stopped 30 out of 35 shots, which was an .857 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Washington lost to the Hurricanes by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Blue Jackets by a score of 2-0 before that. The Capitals have lost three of their last four games and they are currently third in the Metro standings with 40 points. Washington has scored 3.31 goals per game and they have allowed 2.47 goals against per game, while also going 16.0% on the power play and 75.5% on the penalty kill this season. Tom Wilson has led Washington with 17 goals and 15 assists, while Alex Ovechkin has added 14 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for Washington is Logan Thompson, who is 13-7-3 with a 2.09 goals against average and a .922 save percentage this year.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Wild have won seven of their last eight home games.
- The Capitals have lost each of their last four games at Grand Casino Arena.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games against the Capitals.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games at Grand Casino Arena.
- The Capitals have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Nine of the Capitals’ last 10 night games against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last nine games between the Capitals and Wild at Grand Casino Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last 18 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Capitals’ last six road games against the Wild.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Boldy has scored a goal in seven of the Wild’s last eight night games at Grand Casino Arena.
- Matthew Boldy has recorded at least one point in each of the Wild’s last eight night games at Grand Casino Arena.
- Mats Zuccarello has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four appearances in home games.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- John Carlson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Capitals’ last four games as road underdogs.
- Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in three of his last four appearances with the Capitals as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- John Carlson has recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight appearances in road games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Minnesota Wild rank 5th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.61).
- The Minnesota Wild rank 8th in the league in power play percentage this season (23.01%).
- The Washington Capitals rank 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.47).
- The Washington Capitals are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
Wild vs Capitals Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup looking for their fifth win in a row and they have scored at least four goals in three of those games. The Wild are 11-3-4 at home this year, while the Capitals are 8-5-2 on the road. Washington has dropped three of their last four and they have scored two goals or fewer in three straight. The Capitals are an elite defensive team, but I worry about their offense, while Minnesota has a ton of momentum after adding Hughes. Take Minnesota at home.