Live Updates: Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild at Capital One Arena

The Washington Capitals, fresh off their New Year’s win over the Boston Bruins, will play their first game in 2025. And it will be a tough test.

Tonight, the Caps will face a slick-skating Minnesota Wild team that plays superbly on the road. Minnesota leads the league in road wins (13) and road points (29).

They will also face future Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in net for perhaps the last time at Capital One Arena. Alex Ovechkin has lit up Fleury 27 times — the most of any of his goalie sacrifices. Besides, I will never forget this moment.

Neither Kirill Kaprizov nor Wild captain Jared Spurgeon will suit up for the Wild due to injury. Martin Fehervary is in for the Caps after absorbing a high stick from Tom Wilson.

The Capitals-Wild game will air on the Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and a returning Craig Laughlin have called. Puck drop is shortly after 19:00.

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Lines

Washington capitals

Minnesota Wild

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Tunnel shenaigans

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1st period

Puck is lost.

Huge glove save 21 seconds by Charlie Lindgren. Wow.

1-0 Washington Capitals. WSH goals: Tom Wilson (15). Assists: R. Sandin (12). Time: 10:19.

Sandin’s shot is saved by MAF, but the rebound falls right to Wilson’s skates for an easy put-in.

1-1 draw. MIN goals: Ryan Hartman (15). Assists: Z. Bogosian (5), J. Eriksson Ek (11). Time: 11:24.

Hartman with a deflection in front of the net to tie the game 65 seconds later.

Tom Wilson is cross-checked into the Minnesota net. Then Marc-Andre Fleury cross-checks him out of it. Capitals go to the power play!

Oh no Oooo

2-1 Minnesota Wild. MY SHG: Yakov Trenin (3). Unassisted. Time: 19:07.

Bad stick handling behind the net, Lindgren drops both the puck and his stick, and Trenin scores a layup on his backhand.

During the break: The Capitals outscore the Wild 13 to 11 and try them 24 to 12 at five-on-five, but go into the break-down 2-1.

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2. Period

Puck is lost.

Another great early glove save by Lindgren. This time on Frederick Gaudreau 18 seconds in.

Tom Wilson to the box to scrub Brock Faber at 8:43.

Martin Fehervary loses a tooth. He looks like Ovi now. Oh no. Marat Khusnutdinov to the box office for High-sticking – it’s a double minor.

2-2 draw. WSH PPG: Alex Ovechkin (18). Assists: D. Strome (30). Time: 15:08.

Ovis’ 871st career goal and 28th against MAF. 23 away from Gretzky.

During the break: The match is tied 2-2. The Capitals outshoot the Wild 21 to 18.

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3rd period

Waiting for puck drop.

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