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
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