Kaprizov leads Wild to win over Sharks
The Minnesota forward scored his 16th goal of the season and added three assists in a 4-1 victory on Friday.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
Kirill Kaprizov recorded his 16th goal of the season and provided three assists as the Minnesota Wild defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-1 on Friday night. The win extends Minnesota's recent momentum and solidifies its position at the top of the Western Conference.
The Wild had not lost a regulation game in their previous six contests. They currently hold 27 points, which is the highest total in their conference. The Sharks, by contrast, have dropped six of their last seven games.
Kaprizov opened the scoring during a 5-on-3 power play in the first period. He beat goalie Yaroslav Askarov from the right faceoff circle with 7:56 remaining in the frame. San Jose tied the score midway through the second period when captain Macklin Celebrini deflected a wrist shot from Dmitry Orlov past the net.
Maxim Shabanov broke the deadlock with a power-play goal late in the second period. He redirected a cross-ice pass from Kaprizov at the far post. Quinn Hughes extended the lead in the third period with a wrist shot, and Zach Bogosian scored his first goal of the season to make it 4-1.
Jesper Wallstedt stopped 23 shots for Minnesota. He has now won 11 of his last 16 starts, a league-leading record. Askarov made 25 saves for San Jose.
The Wild host Tampa Bay on Saturday night. The Sharks travel to Dallas for their next game on the same evening.
