Gameday preview: Cam Talbot expected to get the nod in net for Wild vs. Washington

6 p.m. at Washington Capitals • Capital One Arena • BSNX, 100.3-FM

Wild update: G Cam Talbot is expected to start against the Capitals. Talbot is 8-0-1 in his last nine starts. In March, Talbot carried a 2.48 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in 11 appearances to go along with a shutout. Earlier this season, the Wild edged Washington 3-2 in a shootout at Xcel Energy Center on Jan. 8. Forwards Marcus Foligno and Mats Zuccarello scored in regulation.

Capitals update: Washington currently holds the final wild card berth in the Eastern Conference with 84 points. The Capitals have been up and down lately, going 2-3 after a four-game win streak. LW Alex Ovechkin is one game-winning goal away from passing Gordie Howe (121) for the second most in NHL history. Ovechkin is also two points shy from 1,400 overall. He has 17 goals in 18 career games vs. the Wild, the highest goals per game rate (0.94) Ovechkin boasts against an opponent in his career other than expansion Seattle.