Capitals: Winning in Minnesota a Tall Task

The Washington Capitals have a history of minimal success when playing at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. In the seven games they have played against the Minnesota Wild on the road, they have a 0-6-1 record. As a matter of fact, they are the only team to remain winless against Minnesota on the Wild’s home ice.

Even aside from their historical lack of success in The North Star State, the Capitals will have their work cut out for them tonight because the Wild just happen to be the hottest team in the National Hockey League since the All-Star game. They lead the NHL with a 21-5-2 record since January 15 and have a league-best 39 points in their last 24 games.

Since acquiring goaltender Devan Dubnyk on January 14th from the Arizona Coyotes, the Minnesota has given up just 46 goals in 28 games. In that time-span, that ends up being the best goals-against-per-game at 1.64. Before the trade, the Wild were giving up 3.52 goals per game, which was the worst in the NHL.

Dubnyk has started 29 consecutive games, which is the most since goaltender Jonas Hiller started 32 straight games for the Anaheim Ducks in 2012.

The Capitals are in the midst of a three-game road trip which saw them play the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night and will see them finish it off against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Washington will likely once again rely heavily on goaltender Braden Holtby, who is one win shy of passing Capitals goaltender Al Jensen for third place in franchise wins (95). Among other NHL goaltenders, Holtby leads the NHL in ice time (3,624) and games played (62). He ranks second in shutouts (8) and saves (1,614); and is tied for third in wins (34), tied for seventh in goals-against average (2.19) and tied for ninth in save percentage (.924).

Center Evgeny Kuznetsov has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in his last six games and has scored in his last four shootout attempts. This ties the longest streak in the NHL this season.

Center Nicklas Backstrom has seven assists in his last eight games and 24 assists in his last 28 games. The center also leads the league in assists with 53 and power play assists with 27. He has assisted on 29 of left winger Alex Ovechkin’s league-leading 45 goals this season.

Left winger Curtis Glencross has scored four goals in his last six games as a Washington Capital. During that time he has also added two assists for six points in seven games since being acquired by the Capitals on March 1st.