LOS ANGELES – The Wild record book is under construction, and Kirill Kaprizov is the foreman guiding all the changes.
Kirill Kaprizov scores twice in Wild's 4-2 victory over Los Angeles
Scores in fourth straight game help pace team's sixth victory in a row.
April 24, 2021 at 6:00AM
After becoming the franchise leader in goals and points for a rookie season earlier in the week, Kaprizov again made history Friday night when he scored for a fourth straight game — his most dazzling finish of the season in a two-goal performance that helped the Wild hold off the Kings 4-2 in front of 1,091 at Staples Center and push the team's win streak to six games.
"He's obviously a threat every time he's on the ice," Nick Bonino said. "His goals are pretty amazing."
In an impressive display of speed, skill and savvy, Kaprizov passed the puck through his legs to himself as he breezed by Los Angeles defender and Fridley native Mikey Anderson and drove to the middle, where he wired the puck through goalie Calvin Petersen at 7 minutes, 44 seconds of the first period to open the scoring.
"He's just so creative," coach Dean Evason said. "He can do some special things, and we've seen them all this year and look forward to seeing a lot more."
Kaprizov became the first Wild rookie to post a four-game goal streak and 20-goal season — this after he surpassed Marian Gaborik's rookie goal and points records when he scored No.19 on Wednesday and registered his 37th point on Monday.
With one second to go in the first, the Kings tied the game. Trevor Moore was left unattended in front of the net to bury a one-timer past Cam Talbot.
But Kaprizov restored the Wild's lead in the second on a power play.
This time, he flexed his patience — pausing before flinging the puck by Petersen's glove from inside the right faceoff circle at 6:41.
"It's fun being out there with him," Bonino said.
The goal was Kaprizov's seventh this season on the power play, a Wild rookie record, and sealed his third career multi-goal game. The Wild finished 1-for-2, and the Kings went 0-for-3 — including a 6-on-4 setup in the waning minutes that the Wild killed off.
"I'm just the beneficiary of playing behind a great group in front of me," said Talbot, who racked up 40 saves — including nine on the PK — to improve to 6-0-1 over his past seven starts.
Not only does Kaprizov continue to lead the Wild in goals (21) and points (40), but he still paces all NHL rookies in goals and points as the front-runner for the Calder Trophy, which recognizes the rookie of the year.
Kaprizov has also been a handful for the Kings, especially at Staples Center. This is where he made his NHL debut, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during a three-point night. He finished the regular-season series vs. Los Angeles with six goals — tied for the second-most goals by a rookie against the Kings in NHL history.
"That's why I stay off the ice for most of the optional practices," Talbot said. "He tends to go out there, so I don't want to have to face him so it keeps my confidence up. He's a special player."
Nico Sturm supplied a timely insurance goal at 11:19 of the third when he polished off a wraparound attempt by Bonino to interrupt Los Angeles' bid for the tying goal. The goal was Sturm's second in as many games, and Bonino registered the 300th point of his career.
Sturm's goal turned into the game-winner after Kings captain Anze Kopitar scored on his wraparound try with 4:43 to go in the third. Joel Eriksson Ek had an empty-netter with 10 seconds remaining after that clutch Wild PK to extend his point streak to a career-high four games. Petersen had 20 saves.
This six-game win streak is tied for the longest of the season.
"You just have to keep building going into the playoffs," Talbot said. "You can't have a letdown."
The NHL’s coaching carousel revealed itself again, a fight reminded us what has changed, and of course there was unpredictable matter involving a goalie.
