Wild vs. Capitals Preview: Kaprizov and Wallstedt Bring Central-Leading Minnesota to D.C.

The Washington Capitals spent October treating Capital One Arena like a home office. The Minnesota Wild spent it living out of a carry-on. Washington played just 12 games in October and plays 11 of its first 15 at home, per the Caps' website, while Minnesota squeezed in 15 October games and plays 12 of its first 17 on the road. Those two very different calendars finally cross on Sunday afternoon.

The Wild (9-3-3) visit the Capitals (8-4-0) at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday at Capital One Arena in Washington. It is the first of two meetings this season, and it opens a three-game homestand for a Caps team carrying a three-game winning streak into a game for the first time this season.

Central Leaders vs. a Caps Team Finding Its Groove

Minnesota's 21 points lead the Central Division, three clear of Utah. The Wild went 3-1-1 on a western trip that crammed five games into eight nights, per the Caps' preview, then dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to the New York Islanders at home Thursday. Sunday begins a quick two-game swing that ends Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Washington's 16 points put it third in the Metropolitan Division, level with the Islanders and two behind New Jersey. The Caps swept a midweek back-to-back, beating Philadelphia 5-2 on Wednesday and winning 4-3 in Nashville on Thursday, then took Friday off before a Saturday practice.

Coach Spencer Carbery knows what is coming. "It's going to be a good test," Carbery said Saturday, per the team's website, adding, "We're excited to play a strong western team."

The Matchup: Wallstedt vs. Washington's Depth Scoring

Jesper Wallstedt has quietly become the most-used goalie in the league. Per NHL.com, he leads all goalies in games played (13), starts (13) and minutes, with an 8-2-3 record, a 2.14 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. NHL.com projects him in net again Sunday.

He will be facing a Washington team that has averaged 3.7 goals over its last 10 games, per the AP, and has spread the scoring around. Alex Tuch has 10 goals, Boone Jenner has five in his last 10 games, and a rookie defenseman scored twice in Nashville on Thursday.

The other battle to watch is Minnesota's top line against Washington's newest pairing. NHL.com projects Kirill Kaprizov with Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy. On the back end, Cole Hutson and Jack St. Ivany have been on the ice together for four goals for and none against in 26:33 across two games, per the Caps, and St. Ivany has assisted on all four. That is a tiny sample, but the Wild's top line is about to be a serious stress test for it.

One number in Minnesota's favor: the Wild are 8-0-2 when they score at least three goals, per the AP. Get to three, and they have not lost in regulation.

Players to Watch

• Kirill Kaprizov, Wild F: The engine. Kaprizov leads Minnesota with 14 goals and 24 points, and he is a big fan of the guy behind him. "Yeah, he's unreal," Kaprizov said of Wallstedt in an NHL.com feature published Saturday.
• Quinn Hughes, Wild D: Leads the Wild with 16 assists, and had a goal and an assist in his Vancouver return on Oct. 25.
• Alex Tuch, Capitals F: Leads Washington in goals (10) and points (12), and scored the winner in Nashville with 9:51 left in regulation.
• Cole Hutson, Capitals D: Scored twice Thursday for the first multi-goal game of his career. With four goals and three assists, he leads all rookie defensemen in scoring, per the Caps.

Team News

NHL.com reports that Eriksson Ek practiced Saturday and is expected to play after an undisclosed injury in Thursday's loss. Minnesota captain Jared Spurgeon is week to week with a lower-body injury, and Brock Faber has been cleared for exercise and workouts with no timetable to play, per NHL.com. Filip Gustavsson, Marcus Foligno and Nick Foligno are on injured reserve, per ESPN, and forward Mason Shaw was recalled from Iowa on Saturday.

For Washington, Rasmus Sandin joined practice for skills work and early drills Saturday in a non-contact jersey, which Carbery called "a really positive step" while giving no timeline. Vincent Desharnais and Patrick Thomas remain on injured reserve, per ESPN. NHL.com projects Logan Thompson in goal; he carries a 2.78 goals-against average.

By the Numbers

• DraftKings lists Washington at -112 and Minnesota at -108 on the moneyline, with a total of 6.5, via ESPN, as of Saturday. That is about as close to a coin flip as it gets.
• Minnesota is 6-2-2 in its last 10 (3.2 goals for, 2.6 against); Washington is 7-3-0 (3.7 for, 3.0 against), per the AP.
• The Capitals are 6-2-0 at home; the Wild are 5-3-2 on the road.
• Washington is plus-6 in goal differential (43 scored, 37 allowed).
• The rematch is March 8 in Minnesota.

Our Pick

Our pick: Wild 3-2. Washington has the home ice, a three-game heater and a blue line that suddenly looks fun, and this game could easily come down to one bounce. But Minnesota has the best player on the ice in Kaprizov and the steadier goalie in Wallstedt, and the Wild's habit of turning three goals into points travels well. Expect a tight one that flips on special teams or a late Kaprizov look.

Odds from DraftKings via ESPN as of Oct. 31. Standings, injury listings and season stats from ESPN; recent-form numbers from the AP preview via ESPN. Projected lineups and injury notes from NHL.com. Quotes from the Capitals' official site and NHL.com.