Kaprizov Shines as Minnesota Wild Triumph Over Tampa Bay Lightning

In a thrilling Friday night showdown, Kirill Kaprizov put on an exceptional display, scoring two decisive goals and assisting another to secure a 5-3 victory for the Minnesota Wild over the Tampa Bay Lightning. With Filip Gustavsson stopping 28 shots, the Wild have now claimed victories in six of their last seven games.

Wild’s Supporting Cast Makes Impact

Joel Eriksson Ek, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber too found the back of the net for the Wild, contributing to the win. The Lightning, whose four-game winning streak was halted, saw Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, and Nick Paul make the score sheet. Victor Hedman contributed two assists while Andrei Vasilevskiy managed 17 saves.

Decisive Moments on Ice

The third period saw the game tied at 2-2 when Kaprizov found himself in the right place at the right time. A shot from Marco Rossi found its way to the net via a deflection off Kaprizov with just a little over five minutes remaining. Boldy followed up with an empty-net goal, pushing the Wild ahead by two. Despite Paul pulling one back for the Lightning, Kaprizov quickly responded with another empty-netter, securing the Wild’s victory and taking his season tally to a team-high 21 points.

Key Takeaways and Pivotal Moments

Lightning coach Jon Cooper’s decision to pull Vasilevskiy from the net with over three minutes left was swiftly punished by Boldy’s goal that padded the Wild’s lead. This marked the Wild’s first home game since October 12, and they made it count by beating the Lightning for the second time in eight days.

Odd Moment Of The Game

An unusual incident occurred with 12:48 left in the second period. Rossi appeared to give the Wild a 2-1 lead, only to find he had scored with the wrong puck. After a brief review, the score remained tied.

Crucial Game Stats

The Lightning outgunned the Wild, firing 30 shots to Minnesota’s 22, and dominated the first period with a 15-6 advantage. However, the Wild’s defensive solidity, blocking 18 shots, played a crucial role in their win.

What’s Next?

The Lightning will look to bounce back when they visit Winnipeg on Sunday, while the Wild will aim to continue their winning form at home against Toronto.