The Capitals began the New Year with a home contest against the Minnesota Wild, the best road team in the NHL this season. The game was competitive and required overtime and a shootout, with the Wild taking the contest, 4-3.
Washington struck first in the middle of the opening period when Tom Wilson was right in front to put the puck in the net. However, Minnesota responded with back-to-back goals in the period to take a 2-1 lead, including one in which Charlie Lindgren misplayed the puck and let in a slam-dunk.
In the middle frame, Washington was awarded a four-minute power play following a double minor against Minnesota’s Marat Khusnutdinov for high-sticking Martin Fehervary.