{"id":480101,"date":"2025-12-16T08:09:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T13:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=480101"},"modified":"2025-12-16T08:09:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T13:09:07","slug":"nhl-predictions-dec-16-washington-capitals-vs-minnesota-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/16\/nhl-predictions-dec-16-washington-capitals-vs-minnesota-wild\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Dec 16 Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0<em>Last Word on Hockey<\/em> look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Washington Capitals taking on the Minnesota Wild. Don\u2019t forget to check out more <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/nhl-predictions\/\" target=\"_self\">NHL Predictions<\/a>, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"mfa66CcaSiR2IN25DMx5dw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2244388875\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mfa66CcaSiR2IN25DMx5dw',sig:'QWiat47_FyZ-RRZfulhyp8Fi3xeFKDcaiXdUjtY63Y8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2244388875',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Vancouver Canucks vs New York Rangers<\/h3>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Canucks 0-1 Rangers<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> MSG; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong> SN Pacific<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>We open up NHL predictions with the second encounter between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/14\/vancouver-canucks-elias-petterson-placed-on-ir\/\" target=\"_self\">Vancouver Canucks<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/15\/nhl-predictions-december-15th-anaheim-ducks-vs-new-york-rangers\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Rangers<\/a>. Vancouver is expected to give <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/demkoth01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thatcher Demko<\/a> the start. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Canucks are 3-6-1 in the previous 10 games, but did get a 2-1 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/13\/nhl-predictions-december-13th-anaheim-ducks-vs-new-jersey-devils\/\" target=\"_self\">New Jersey Devils<\/a> on Sunday afternoon. New acquisition <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/buiumze01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zeev Buium<\/a> got a goal and an assist in the victory.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/q\/quickjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Quick<\/a> is expected to get the start for the Rangers, who will be playing the second game in as many nights. Quick got a 23-save shutout for the Blueshirts in a 2-0 win over the Canucks on October 28. New York was 6-2-2 heading into Monday night&#8217;s game against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/13\/nhl-predictions-december-13th-anaheim-ducks-vs-new-jersey-devils\/\" target=\"_self\">Anaheim Ducks<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/panarar01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artemi Panarin<\/a> is tied for the team lead in goals with 11 heading into Monday night&#8217;s action.<\/p>\n<p>Vancouver is going through a transition period, but the younger players, such as Buium and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rossima01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marco Rossi<\/a>, have made a good first impression. However, the Blueshirts get the victory at home.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Rangers win 4-2.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"caAT7eMmQD1TQr0FWr1Zrg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2245245613\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'caAT7eMmQD1TQr0FWr1Zrg',sig:'Y6hXsSZvWjasDLL-Ah15ArXrib2z-bTD6JIgm7I1Vkw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2245245613',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Philadelphia Flyers vs Montreal Canadiens<\/h3>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Flyers 1-0 Canadiens<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> NBC Sports Philadelphia; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong> TSN2; RDS<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>Our second game of NHL predictions has the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/11\/montreal-canadiens-add-reinforcements-from-laval\/\" target=\"_self\"> Montreal Canadiens<\/a> hosting the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/11\/nhl-predictions-dec-11-vegas-golden-knights-vs-philadelphia-flyers\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vladada01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daniel Vladar<\/a> is the probable starter for the Flyers, who are 5-2-3 in the last 10 games. However, Philadelphia has dropped its last three games in a row. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zegratr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trevor Zegras<\/a> is tops in goals (13) and points (32) so far for the Flyers. Zegras also has six points in his last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p>Jalkub Dobes is the likely starter for the Canadiens, who are 5-4-1 in their previous 10 games. However, Montreal has won two of its last three games entering this matchup. The Canadiens are led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/caufico01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cole Caufield<\/a> (17 goals) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/suzukni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Suzuki<\/a> (37 points). Calder Trophy winner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hutsola01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lane Hutson<\/a> has seven points in the last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p>Philadelphia has been giving teams fits, and it did beat Montreal in a shootout. However, the Habs should get the win.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Canadiens win 4-3.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3>Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild<\/h3>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Capitals 1-0 Wild<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV:<\/strong> Monumental Sports Network; Fan Duel Sports North, Fan Duel Sports Wisconsin; ESPN+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p>Our final featured game of NHL predictions has the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/05\/nhl-predictions-december-5th-washington-capitals-vs-anaheim-ducks\/\" target=\"_self\">Washington Capitals<\/a> going for the season sweep over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/12\/blockbuster-trade-out-of-vancouver-and-minnesota\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Wild<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/thomplo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Logan Thompson<\/a> is projected to start for Washington, which is 7-1-2 in the previous 10 games. However, the Capitals have dropped three of their last four games entering this matchup. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wilsoto01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tom Wilson<\/a> leads the team in goals (17) and points (32) so far this season.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wallsje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesper Wallstedt<\/a> is the probable starter for the Wild, who are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games. This includes wins in four consecutive games. Minnesota has decided to go for it in a push to make a deep Stanley Cup playoff run. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hughequ01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Quinn Hughes<\/a> scored in his Wild debut against the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/11\/19\/boston-bruins-lose-another-defenceman-due-to-injury\/\" target=\"_self\"> Boston Bruins.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/boldyma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Boldy<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kapriki01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirill Kaprizov<\/a> are tied for the team&#8217;s lead in points with 37.<\/p>\n<p>Both teams are looking to be contenders, but Minnesota should get revenge for a 5-1 loss earlier in the season.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Wild win 4-3.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prop Bets of the Night<\/h3>\n<p>We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let&#8217;s<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nhl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401802877\/capitals-wild\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> stay with our featured game<\/a> for our favourite props. The over\/under for the Capitals versus the Wild is 5.5, and we like the over in this game.<\/p>\n<p>As for individual props, go with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/ovechal01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-12-16_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Ovechkin<\/a> to score an anytime goal for Washington. On the Minnesota side of things, take Hughes to get a power-play point.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col text-sm @w-xl\/main:pt-header-height pb-25\">\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:92f6ca11-a3b6-494d-aef7-b556b87b0508-3\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-8\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"bbc6f825-47cc-4feb-83d4-605efefc06cf\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-1\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"entry-content content-styled max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"entry-content content-styled max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"entry-content content-styled max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"entry-content content-styled max-w-none\">\n<p><em><strong>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Washington Capitals taking on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":480102,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,4547,30,4548,15],"tags":[6012,6016,6122,6082,6014,6239],"class_list":["post-480101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-hockey","category-wild","category-nhl","category-capitals","tag-minnesota-wild-predictions","tag-montreal-canadiens-predictions","tag-new-york-rangers-predictions","tag-philadelphia-flyers-predictions","tag-vancouver-canucks-predictions","tag-washington-capitals-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=480101"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":480109,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480101\/revisions\/480109"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/480102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=480101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=480101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=480101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}