Wild-Capitals gameday preview
Capitals a threat to Wild's streak at home
Preview: The Wild carries a 13-game point streak on home ice into its Thursday meeting with the Capitals. In those 13 games, the Wild has outscored its opponents 49-25. This is the second stop on a four-game road trip for Washington that started with a 4-3 overtime loss Tuesday in Winnipeg. The Capitals have won six consecutive games against the Wild.
Players to watch: Captain Alex Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals with 33. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov has 11 points during an eight-game point streak. Goalie Braden Holtby is on pace for 42 wins.
Numbers: The Wild leads the NHL in home points (45). Captain Mikko Koivu is set to play in his 900th career game Thursday. The Capitals are 31-3-4 in games they score at least three goals. They have scored 11 power-play goals in their last 12 games.
Injuries: Wild D Jonas Brodin (fractured left hand) is out. Capitals F Jay Beagle is day-to-day after getting slashed in the ribs Tuesday by the Jets' Dustin Byfuglien.
Sarah McLellan
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The Wild have been the surprise of the league as their high-scoring winger makes a shambles of team scoring records.