NHL Game Preview: Minnesota Wild at Washington Capitals with Line Combinations 1/2/2025

Minnesota Wild (23-11-4, 50 pts) at Washington Capitals (25-10-2, 52 pts)

Venue: Capital One Arena
Date: Thursday, January 2
Time: 8:00 pm CST / 7:00 pm EST
TV: ESPN + / FDSN / FDSW / MNMT
Radio: 
Minnesota Wild- KFAN 100.3 FM
Washington Capitals – WJFK 106.7 FM / WFED 1500 AM

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
Minnesota Wild +1.5 ML +130
Washington Capitals -1.5 ML -150
O/U 5.5

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Minnesota Wild News & Notes:

Minnesota travels to Washington to face the Capitals in the first meeting between the two clubs this season. The Wild has been road warriors, posting a 13-3-3 record away from home while also being particularly impressive in one-goal games with an 8-3-2 record when the games are tight. Minnesota has struggled in their last ten games to a 4-6-0 clip as they look to right the ship tonight. Captain Jared Spurgeon looks to be lost for the foreseeable future after a slew foot from Zachary L’Heureux in the win over the Predators on New Year’s Eve. Spurgeon was seen leaving the arena on crutches with a large leg brace and will be getting an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. L’Heureux will receive a phone hearing from the Department of Player Safety for the questionable play. 

Washington Capitals News & Notes:

The Capitals sit first in the Metropolitan Division and are 12-4-2 at home behind Jack Adams Award candidate Spencer Carbury. Most would say the Capitals have over-achieved under Carbury as he’s dealt with major injuries to some of the Capitals’ core pieces in the last two years but Washington continues to play well and will be a tough out in the playoffs. 

Minnesota Wild Projected Lines:

Boldy-Rossi-Zuccarello

Johansson-Eriksson Ek-Hartman

Foligno-Gaudreau-Trenin

Shore-Khusnutdinov-Jones

Brodin-Faber

Chisholm-Lambos

Merrill-Bogosian

Gustavsson

Fleury

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Washington Capitals Projected Lines: 

Ovechkin-Strome-Protas

McMichael-Dubois-Wilson

Mangiapane-Eller-Vrana

Duhaime-Dowd-Raddysh

Sandin-Carlson

Fehervary-Roy

Chychrun-van Riemsdyk

Thompson

Lindgren

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Players To Watch:

Minnesota Wild

Marco Rossi is coming off a three-point game with two goals and an assist in the Wild’s 5-3 victory over the Predators. The diminutive center has been excellent in December with 13 points (7g, 6a) in 14 games. The Wild have dipped since losing all-world talent Karil Kaprizov but it appears the Russian could be back soon after their short road trip. 

Washington Capitals 

The huge 6-foot-6 winger Aliaksei Protas is having a breakout season for the Capitals. The 23-year-old from Belarus has already surpassed his point total (29) from last year and is on pace for 71 point, 35-goal season. The 2019 third-round pick is tied for second on the Capitals in goals with 16 only one behind future NHL all-time goal-scoring leader Alex Ovechkin. 

Injury Report:

Minnesota Wild

LW Karil Kaprizov – IR

C Jakob Lauko – IR

D Jake Middleton – LTIR

D Jarod Spurgeon – Day To Day

Washington Capitals 

LW Sonny Milano – IR

RW TJ Oshie – LTIR

C Nicklas Backstrom – LTIR

Next Game:

Minnesota Wild – January 4 at Carolina Hurricanes 

Washington Capitals – January 4 vs. New York Rangers

Season 4. Episode 19. Mark Divver – Bruins Benders Podcast

The Benders chat with New England Hockey Journal’s Mark Divver. Also, is Nikita Zadorov a leader in the making? Are the Bruins slow, stupid, and soft? David Pastrnak needs more credit and much more! DraftKings Sportsbook – Boston’s hometown Sportsbook is LIVE right here in Massachusetts! Bet local on all your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home with DraftKings. To celebrate, ALL new customers will receive up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS bets when you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook using code ITR! You can now bet local on money lines, spreads, props, and more with one of America’s top-rated Sportsbooks – DraftKings Sportsbook!  Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up with code ITR to get up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS bets to use now that mobile sports betting is live in Massachusetts. That’s code ITR only at DraftKings Sportsbook. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 800 327-5050 or visit helplineMA.org to speak with a trained specialist, free and confidentially, twenty four seven. Must be 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Subject to regulatory licensing requirementsEligibility and deposit restrictions apply. Opt in required. Bonus issued as free bets. Terms at draftkings.com/MA.

1. Season 4. Episode 19. Mark Divver 01:16:43
2. Season 4. Episode 18. Two Paths 47:05
3. Season 4. Episode 17. Stanley Cup Parade Back On? 58:45
4. Season 4. Episode 16. Gutsy Loss 46:58
5. Season 4. Episode 15. Public Skate 50:19