Wild at Capitals game preview: broadcast info, odds and analysis

Sarah McLellan's analysis: Alex Ovechkin started the season slow, but has two goals in his last two games and 36 career points in 21 games vs. the Wild.

October 27, 2023 at 10:03AM
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) reacts against the New Jersey Devils] during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Newark, N.J. The Capitals won 6-4. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is 70 goals behind Wayne Gretzky for the all-time record. (Adam Hunger, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WILD GAMEDAY

vs. Washington at Capital One Arena: 6 p.m. Friday

TV; radio: BSN; 100.3 FM

Stats and analytics: Tap here.

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Sarah McLellan's preview:

Opening bell: This is the Wild's first back-to-back of the season, and they'll face a Capitals squad that's won just once in their last four games. G Marc-Andre Fleury is scheduled to start in net for the Wild. In Fleury's last appearance, he made 20 saves in a 7-3 loss to the Kings on Oct. 19. At 545 career victories, Fleury is seven away from passing Patrick Roy and becoming the second-winningest goalie in NHL history.

Watch him: Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin is 70 goals away from matching Wayne Gretzky's all-time record. Both of Ovechkin's goals this season have come in his last two games.

Injuries: Wild RW Matt Boldy (upper body), RW Frederick Gaudreau (upper body), D Alex Goligoski (lower body) and D Jared Spurgeon (upper body); Capitals C Nic Dowd (upper body), D Joel Edmundson (hand), G Charlie Lindgren (upper body) and LW Max Pacioretty (Achilles).

Forecast: Although the Capitals will have the edge in rest — they last played on Wednesday — the Wild have won the last three road games in this matchup. They also prevailed at home last season vs. Washington to sweep the season series. Keeping an eye on Ovechkin will be key: not only is he on a four-game point streak, Ovechkin has a whopping 36 points in 21 career games against the Wild.

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about the writer

about the writer

Sarah McLellan

Minnesota Wild and NHL

Sarah McLellan covers the Wild and NHL. Before joining the Star Tribune in November 2017, she spent five years covering the Coyotes for The Arizona Republic.

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