Minnesota Wild vs Washington Capitals Prediction 10/17/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Wild vs Capitals Prediction for this NHL game on Friday, October 17th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Washington Capitals Preview

The Capitals have a 3-1 record this season, and are 1-3 ATS and 1-3 in over/under. They have a 1-1 home record and are coming off a 3-2 home victory against the Lightning in overtime. Offensively, the Capitals are averaging 2.25 goals per game and are scoring 9.1% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 1.75 goals per game and are killing 55.5% of their opponent’s power plays. Aliaksei Protas leads Washington with 5 points, 3 goals and two assists.

Logan Thompson is likely in net for the Capitals, and he has a 2-1 record, with 2.01 GAA and .921 SV%.

Minnesota Wild Preview

The Wild have a 2-2 record this season, and are 1-3 ATS and 3-1 in over/under. They have a 1-1 road record and are coming off a 2-5 road defeat in Dallas. Offensively, the Wild are averaging 3.75 goals per game and are scoring 47.6% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.75 goals per game and are killing 60% of their opponent’s power plays. Kirril Kaprizov leads Minnesota with 9 points, 4 goals and 5 assists.

Filip Gustavsson is likely in net for the Wild, and he has a 1-2 record, with 3.06 GAA and .888 SV%.

Minnesota Wild @ Washington Capitals Betting Trends: October 17, 2025

Why the Washington Capitals will win

• The Wild have lost seven of their last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Capitals have won eight of their last nine home games following a win.
• The Capitals have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine home games following a win.
• The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six road games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Capitals have won the third period in each of their last seven home games after coming off overtime.

Why the Minnesota Wild will win

• The Capitals have lost six of their last seven games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The Wild have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Capitals.
• The Wild have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games against the Capitals.
• The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The Capitals have lost the third period in eight of their last nine games when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Capitals’ last nine home games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Wild’s last six games as road underdogs against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 10 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last nine games as underdogs.

Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts

• Tom Wilson has scored a goal in three of the Capitals’ last four home games.
• Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Capitals’ last nine games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
• Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in 11 of the Capitals’ last 12 games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
• Aliaksei Protas ranks T6th in the league for multi-goal game (1) this season.

Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts

• Kirill Kaprizov has recorded at least one assist in five of the Wild’s last six road games.
• Matthew Boldy has scored at least one goal in nine of the Wild’s last 10 night games.
• Matthew Boldy has recorded at least one point in nine of the Wild’s last 10 night games.
• Kirill Kaprizov ranks 1st in the league for Power Play Points (7) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Washington Capitals rank 3rd in the league for goals against per game this season (1.75).
• The Washington Capitals rank 30th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (55.56%).
• The Minnesota Wild rank 1st in the league in power play percentage this season (47.62%).
• The Minnesota Wild rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (60.00%).

Wild vs Capitals Prediction

The Wild won both meetings against the Caps last season. At home by 4-2 and on the road by 4-3 in a shootout. The Wild are 7-1 in their last 8 meetings against the Caps, and are 4-1 in their last 5 visits in Washington. Over is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings.  

In this Wild vs Capitals Prediction, the Capitals are coming as -125 home favorites. Washington has been red-hot lately, with three consecutive wins after losing their season opener. They have been elite defensively, allowing just 1.7 goals per game, while Minnesota allows 3.7. Thompson has been excellent in his three starts for the Capitals, who are playing their second straight game at home, while the Wild are playing their second straight on the road. The value here lies with the home team, so take the Washington Capitals on the moneyline in this one.