The Xcel Energy Center will play host to an enticing showdown as the Minnesota Wild face off against the visiting Washington Capitals. This East-West matchup will get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 1 and it can be watched live on NBC Sports Network.
Washington Capitals at Minnesota Wild Odds
Minnesota (+115) is playing the role of underdog to Washington (-135) and the Over/Under (O/U) is placed at 6 goals. If bettors want to play the game’s total, they’ll be looking at odds of -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Washington is 39-25 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 64 regular season matches, 39 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Caps are 21-11 SU on the road in 2019-20.
Washington has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, it has the third-best penalty kill in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Washington has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall in the 2019-20 season, and 3.2 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sporting a .897 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Braden Holtby (24-20-5) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this season. If it chooses to rest him, however, the team may go with Ilya Samsonov (16-9-1 record, .917 save percentage, 2.40 goals against average).
The visiting Capitals will be led by John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin. Carlson has 72 points on 15 goals and 57 assists, and has recorded two or more points 23 times. Ovechkin has 43 goals and 17 assists to his name, and has registered at least one point in 36 games.
Minnesota is 32-32 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.1 units this season. Through 64 regular season matches, 31 of its games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just five have pushed. This year, the team is 18-15 SU at home.
Minnesota has converted on 21.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.7 percent of all penalties.
The Wild have been penalized 3.5 times per game this season, and 2.2 per game over their past five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 5.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Alex Stalock (25.1 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for Minnesota. Stalock has 19 wins, 15 losses, and four overtime losses and has maintained a 2.60 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
The Wild will be led on offense by Kevin Fiala (19 goals, 28 assists).
Washington Capitals at Minnesota Wild Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their past five matches.
- Penalties and power plays could prove to be critical tonight. The Capitals are 12-10 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 20-14 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total. The Wild are 16-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 23-21 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Two of Minnesota’s past 10 outings have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-3 overall in shootouts this year.
- Minnesota is ranked 24th with 6.5 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended lower lately, however, as it has averaged 5.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Washington is ranked 12th in the NHL with 7.7 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as it’s averaged 8.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.4 takeaways over its last five.
