The Minnesota Wild feel happy about their performance during October.
A new challenge — and a new month — arrives Sunday afternoon when the Wild face off against the Washington Capitals in Washington, D.C.
Minnesota has earned at least one point in four consecutive games. Despite injuries, the Wild have lost only three times in regulation over 15 games this season.
“The guys that come into the room make such an impact,” Wild forward Matt Boldy said. “A lot of credit to them. It’s not an easy thing to do.
“I just think the way we’ve been playing has been detailed and pretty efficient. We do the little things right and let the game come to us. It’s a lot of credit to those guys stepping in and having a big impact. It was a good month. We’ve got to keep it going.”
Washington is also looking to build on a strong start. The Capitals have won three games in a row and eight of 12 games this season.
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said the team’s depth was a major reason for its success. Washington is coming off a 4-3 road win over the Nashville Predators.
“We just got better and better as the game went along,” Carbery said. “It gives you a little bit of peace of mind (to have team depth). … Big picture, overall, it’s been pretty solid for the most part with us being able to not lean as heavily on certain guys that play power play, penalty kill and five-on-five.”
Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild with 24 points (14 G, 10 A) in 15 games. Quinn Hughes is next with 20 points (4 G, 16 A), and Boldy is third with 13 points (6 G, 7 A).
For Washington, Alex Tuch is tied for the lead with 12 points (10 G, 2 A) in 12 games. Dylan Strome also has 12 points (3 G, 9 A), and Jordan Kyrou has 11 points (4 G, 7 A).
Joel Eriksson Ek left the Wild’s most recent game after being hit in the knee by a puck, but he returned later in the third period and is expected to play Sunday.
Minnesota’s options in net include Jesper Wallstedt and Calvin Pickard. Wallstedt is 8-2-3 with a 2.14 goals-against average, and Pickard is 1-1-0 with a 3.50 GAA.
Wallstedt has never faced Washington in his career. Pickard is 0-2-0 with a 4.93 GAA in three career games against the Capitals.
The Capitals could turn to Logan Thompson or Charlie Lindgren in net. Thompson is 5-3-0 with a 2.78 GAA, and Lindgren is 3-1-0 with a 2.98 GAA.
Against Minnesota, Thompson is 4-1-0 with a 1.45 GAA in six career games. Lindgren is 0-5-1 with a 3.55 GAA in six matchups against Minnesota.
Carbery said he and the Capitals are looking forward to playing a top opponent.
“These are the games where you look out west, whether you’re talking about Edmonton, Colorado, Minnesota, Dallas — the teams that have been right on the door,” Carbery said. “They’re knocking. They’re right in that mix to try to make a run to be a Stanley Cup champion.
“It’s good. We’re excited to play a strong West team (on Sunday).”