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The Minnesota Wild (3-3-1) take on the Washington Capitals (2-3-1) Friday at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Wild vs. Capitals odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Wild were tamed in a 6-2 defeat at the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night. They’ll enter the nation’s capital on the 2nd game of a back-to-back having lost 3 of 4. LW Kirill Kaprizov is off to a bit of a slow start with 2 goals and 7 assists. He has 25 shots on goal, and defenses have been staying close to him.
The Capitals stormed out to a 3-0 lead at New Jersey Wednesday night and prevailed 6-4. They have had a super slow start to their season with just 7 goals in their 1st 5 games. LW Alex Ovechkin has 2 goals in the first 6 games as he continues his quest for The Great One’s record.
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Wild at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:15 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Wild +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Capitals -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Wild +1.5 (-225) | Capitals -1.5 (+185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Wild at Capitals projected goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury (1-1-0, 3.56 GAA, .868 SV%) vs. Darcy Kuemper (1-2-1, 3.67 GAA, .868 SV%)
Fleury was solid in his 1st start Oct. 17, allowing 2 goals on 28 shots. However, the Los Angeles Kings pummeled him for 5 goals on 25 shots in his last outing Oct. 19. He faced the Caps once and beat them last season, allowing 3 goals on 36 shots.
Kuemper has allowed 13 goals in his last 3 starts, including 4 goals on 17 shots Tuesday against Toronto. He did not face Minnesota last season. He went 1-0-1 with a 2.01 GAA and .931 SV% against the Wild in 3 starts 2 years ago while with the Colorado Avalanche.
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Wild at Capitals picks and predictions
Prediction
Wild 4, Capitals 2
Moneyline
The Capitals have allowed 3 goals in every game but 1 thus far, and they’ve been anemic offensively. They don’t have anyone to contain Kaprizov, and I look for him to get on the board. Minnesota is a tough, physical team, and they don’t rely on athleticism as much. So being on the other end of a back-to-back doesn’t bother me. I’ll take the WILD +105 and the value.
Puck line/Against the spread
No thanks to the puck line. As mentioned I don’t think the Caps can contain “Kirill The Thrill.” Take KAPRIZOV ANYTIME GOAL (+105) and reap the rewards.
Over/Under
The Wild are 6-1 O/U, and Washington is 2-4. I wouldn’t consider the Wild to be as adept offensively as they have been in recent years, and the Caps have just been bleh. The presence of Fleury in net really isn’t much of a factor here. I LOVE the UNDER 6.5 (-115) here.
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