The Washington Capitals are coming off back-to-back OT losses, giving up a total of nine goals in the process and they've allowed a total of 20 goals in their last four losses. "It breaks down to everything really, but in terms of the D zone we're a little too backed off," Washington defenseman John Carlson said. "We're in follow mode instead of attack mode. It's tough. We're giving teams a lot of time in the zone and if you do that you try to at least keep teams to the outside and not give them the middle of the ice. We haven't been doing that and that's part of the problem."

The Caps have won six straight meetings in this series, but I like Minnesota to end that streak here Thursday night. The Wild are extremely hard to beat home at Xcel Energy Center and 10-0-3 in their past 13 home games. They're 7-2 in their last nine when hosting a team with a losing road record and the Caps are 12-9-4 away from home.

My selection is an 8* play on Minnesota Wild.