Kirill Kaprizov scored his league-leading 16th goal and provided three assists to propel the Minnesota Wild to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday night in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The win extended Minnesota’s strong run to 6-0-1 in their last seven games. With 27 points on the season, the Wild currently hold the top spot in the Western Conference standings. Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt made 23 saves to earn his 11th victory in 16 starts, leading all NHL goaltenders in both categories.
Wild Pull Away After Even Start
Kaprizov started the scoring at 7:56 of the first period, capitalizing on a 5-on-3 power play by beating San Jose goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from the right faceoff circle. The Sharks leveled the game midway through the second period when captain Macklin Celebrini deflected Dmitry Orlov’s wrist shot past Wallstedt following a faceoff win in the Minnesota zone, marking Celebrini’s seventh goal of the season.
Minnesota reclaimed the lead with 5:45 remaining in the second period during another power play. Kaprizov delivered a cross-ice pass through the slot that Maxim Shabanov redirected past Askarov at the far post. Quinn Hughes extended the advantage to 3-1 at 6:55 of the third period, skating across the high slot before firing a wrist shot over Askarov’s shoulder. Hughes finished the night with a goal and two assists.
Game Wrap and Upcoming Schedule
Zach Bogosian sealed the victory later in the third period with his first goal of the season. Askarov stopped 25 shots for the Sharks, who dropped to 1-6-0 across their last seven contests. The Wild improved their recent head-to-head record against San Jose to 8-0-3 over their past 11 meetings.
Both teams return to the ice on Saturday night, with the Wild hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning while the Sharks travel to face the Dallas Stars.
