Minnesota Wild vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 1/2/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Wild vs Washington Capitals

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2025

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: Monumental Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Wild (+125) Capitals (-145)

Capital One Arena is where the Washington Capitals (24-10-2) will compete against the Minnesota Wild (22-11-4) on Thursday. The odds on this game have Minnesota at +125 while Washington is at -145. The total is set at 6.5.

The Minnesota Wild were on the losing side of the ice with a 3-1 defeat against the Senators their last time out. Minnesota garnered 11 mins in the box in this contest. Furthermore, they had 2 power play opportunities but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. The Wild didn't have their best offensive outing in this defeat. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 1 of the 31 shots they attempted.

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In relation to scoring goals, the Minnesota Wild have accumulated 107 goals (20th in pro hockey) so far this year and have allowed 99. For the current campaign, they have 48 points and their points % is .649. Minnesota comes into the game with 94 power play opportunities and they have added 16 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 17.02%. When at even strength, the Wild have allowed 72 goals while scoring 91 themselves. Minnesota has tried 1,039 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.3%. The Wild have had 1,066 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .907. Minnesota Wild opponents have tallied 90 power play tries (28th in the league) and have tallied 27 goals in those attempts.

The man in goal for this game is Filip Gustavsson. The opposition has racked up 345 goals against Gustavsson in his professional career and his goals against average per game is 3.23. Gustavsson has been in net for 136 contests over the course of his pro hockey career. His save percentage currently is .914 for his 6,418 mins on the ice. He has a win-loss mark of 68-46-17 and he started in 128 games. For his professional hockey career, Gustavsson has accounted for 79 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .617. Gustavsson has seen 4,010 shots against him and he has 3,665 total saves.

Their last time out, Washington faced off against the Red Wings in a matchup where the Capitals took a loss by a mark of 4-2. The Capitals earned 2 goals of the 27 shots on goal they took. They had 3 power play chances in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal.

During this campaign, the Washington Capitals have earned a total of 132 goals, 50 points, in addition to a points percentage of .694. They have permitted 95 goals to be scored by of a combination of 76 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Capitals have accumulated 109 goals at even strength and 23 goals (11th in the league) while on the power play. They have earned 106 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 21.70%. Washington has attempted 1,012 shots (20th in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 13.04%, while allowing the other team 984 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 83.04% on their opponents 112 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 90.3%.

Across the rink you will find Logan Thompson between the pipes. Thompson has compiled a career record of 70-34-13 and has been in net for 121 games. Thompson's rate of quality starts comes out to 59.3% and he has made 67 quality starts in his career. He has racked up 3,205 saves out of the 3,512 shots attempted against him, giving him a rate of .913. Teams are averaging 3.09 goals per contest and he has allowed 307 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 113 games and his ice time sits at 5,967 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Washington (-145) and under 6.5 goals

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