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

Alex Ovechkin
(Photo: AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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 39. The Off Season Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Tanner Jeannot interest from 10 teams?- We grade the Bruins in Free Agency- Jordan Kyrou to the Bruins?- Predicting James Hagens career& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 39. The Off Season
  2. Season 4. Episode 38. B.C. Bruins
  3. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  4. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  5. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.

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