A couple of teams facing each other for the first time this year, the Washington Capitals and the Minnesota Wild collide at the Xcel Energy Center. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 13, and you can catch this East-West matchup live on NBC Sports Washington.
Washington Capitals vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 4.3 units, the Wild are 11-6 straight up (SU) overall in the 2018-19 season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league so far this season, is an improvement compared to what the team did during the 2017-18 season (45-37). Of its 17 games this season, eight have gone over the total, while an additional eight have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 5-2 SU at home thus far.
Minnesota’s converted on 18.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.2 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Minnesota has been penalized 4.4 times per game overall this season, and 6.6 per game over its last five contests home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 8.4 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Boasting a .933 save percentage and 29.8 saves per game, Devan Dubnyk (eight wins, five losses, and two OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Wild this season. If they choose to rest him, however, head coach Bruce Boudreau may turn to Alex Stalock (3-1-1 record, .905 save percentage, 2.73 goals against average).
Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise will both spearhead the attack for the Wild. Granlund (18 points) has put up 10 goals and eight assists and has recorded multiple points on four different occasions this year. Parise has seven goals and nine assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 10 games.
Washington has lost 4.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 7-9 straight up (SU). A total of nine of its matches have gone over the total, while six have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As an away team this season, Washington is 2-4 SU.
Washington has converted on 31.5 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully defended 71.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Washington’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five match ups. The team’s had to kill penalties just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Braden Holtby (3.24 goals against average and .900 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Washington. Holtby is averaging 27.8 saves per game and owns a 5-8-3 record.
For the visiting Capitals, the offense will be facilitated through Evgeny Kuznetsov (six goals, 14 assists) and Alex Ovechkin (12 goals, seven assists).
Washington Capitals vs. Minnesota Wild Free Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Trends
For both of these teams, the total has gone over in three of their past five matches.
The Wild are 6-2 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Capitals are 2-5 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
Minnesota skaters have managed 7.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 6.4 takeaways per game (ranked 26th overall).
Washington has created 10.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 9.4 takeaways per game (ranked fifth in the league).
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