Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild Prediction, 1/8/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild

Date: Saturday, January 8, 2022

Location: Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN

TV: Bally Sports North

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-142) Wild (+118)

The Washington Capitals (20-6-8) are headed to Xcel Energy Center on Saturday where they will take on the Minnesota Wild (20-10-2). The odds on this game have the Capitals at -142 and the Wild are sitting at +118. The total comes in at 5.5.

The Washington Capitals will need a bounce back game after taking a 4-3 loss against the Devils their last time out. Washington compiled 6 penalty mins in this game. The Capitals had an average offensive outing in this loss. They also had 1 power play try but weren't able to notch a goal. For the game, they were able to notch a goal on 3 out of the 30 shots they attempted.

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The Capitals have had 966 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .909. While at even strength, the Capitals have conceded 73 goals while scoring 102 as an offensive unit. Washington Capitals opponents have amassed 87 power play opportunities (28th in pro hockey) and have tallied 15 goals in those attempts. For the year, they have scored 48 points and their points percentage is .706. Washington has attempted 1,088 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.8%. When it comes to their scoring, the Washington Capitals have tallied 117 goals (5th in pro hockey) on the year and have given up 88. Washington has accumulated 100 power play opportunities and they have added 15 goals out of those attempts, earning them a rate of 15.00%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Vitek Vanecek. Vanecek has participated in 53 contests throughout his NHL career. He has amassed an overall mark of 27-14-9 and he has started in 52 games. The opposition has notched 133 goals against Vanecek in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.64. Vanecek has seen 1,455 shots against him and has garnered 1,322 saves. His save percentage sits at .909 during his 3,024 mins between the pipes. In his professional hockey career, Vanecek has earned 25 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .481.

The last time they were on the ice, Minnesota played the Bruins in a matchup where the Wild ended up with the win by a score of 3-2. They had 8 opportunities on the power play in this outing and earned 2 goals out of those chances. The Wild tallied 3 goals out of the 30 shots on goal they took.

Minnesota has tried 1,049 shots (16th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 11.06%, while allowing their opponents 1,028 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 79.82% on their opponents 114 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 90.5%. They have a tally of 109 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 17.43%. The Wild have accumulated 97 goals at even strength and 19 goals (17th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 98 goals to be scored by way of 75 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the campaign, the Minnesota Wild have tallied 116 goals, 42 points, as well as a points percentage of .656.

Across the rink you will find Cam Talbot in the crease. The opposition is averaging 2.63 goals per contest and he has yielded 934 goals altogether. Talbot's quality start percentage comes in at 52.9% and he has 189 quality starts in his NHL career. He has started in 357 games and has accumulated 21,275 minutes. Talbot has amassed a career mark of 184-138-31 and has been in goal for 371 contests. He has recorded 10,031 saves out of the 10,965 shots tried, which gives him a save percentage of .915.

Who will win tonight's NHL game ATS?

Guy's Pick: Take Washington (-142)

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