Washington Capitals @ Minnesota Wild Betting Preview

The Washington Capitals head to Minnesota this week to take on the Wild. The Capitals (39-9-4) are atop the Eastern Conference standings, while the Wild (23-20-10) are currently in sixth place in the Central Division and have some real work to do if they plan to make the postseason. The Wild are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to Dallas on Tuesday night, while the Caps are coming in off a solid road win in Nashville on Tuesday, as they beat the Predators, 5-3. Let’s take at the recap of their previous encoutner and a look at this matchup. Also, remember to take a look at other betting lines for NHL by clicking here.

How to Bet Washington vs Minnesota & Game Info

When: Thursday, February 11, 8 PM EST Where: Xcel Energy Center, St.Paul, MN TV: FS-N Radio: KFAN FM 100.3 Stream Option: NHL.tv Opening NHL Odds: TBA

Why Should You Bet on the Capitals?

If you can name a statistical category in the NHL, the Capitals are probably dominating it. They’re #1 in goals scored per game (3.3) and power play percentage (24.4). They’re #2 in goals permitted (2.3) and #4 in penalty kill percentage (84.0). This is a team that knows how to get out of the gate quickly and put up an overwhelming amount of offense, and they can be smothering on the back end as well. Playing away from Washington doesn’t seem to bother them like it does some NHL teams. Given where the Wild are in the standings, and given their defensive shortcomings, the Capitals should be able to skate in and score at will.

Why Should You Bet on the Wild?

It’s true that the Wild have a lot more trouble scoring goals than Washington does; their 2.5 average is good for #21 of the NHL’s 30 teams. Their power play (#21, 17.8%) and their penalty kill (#25, 78.1%) are fairly anemic too. However, their defense is surprisingly scrappy (#9, 2.5 goals permitted). If they can clamp down on the Capitals and put a goal or two on the board, this could go their way in a hurry. The Capitals have been slightly more porous on defense as of late, and this could easily be a trap game for them as they mentally prepare to take on the Stars down in Dallas on Saturday night.

Expert Betting Pick and Final Score Prediction

I like the Capitals to take care of business up in the bitter climes of Minnesota. The Wild are a tough team to beat in their noisy barn of an arena, but the Capitals have been winning these types of games all season long. I’m taking the Caps, 4-2.