Kirill Kaprizov etched his name into Minnesota Wild history on Tuesday night by scoring the franchise’s all-time leading goal, helping the team secure a 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Kaprizov, 28, netted his 220th goal late in the third period, surpassing Marian Gaborik’s previous record.
With the Wild comfortably ahead and an empty net, Kaprizov found the back of the net at 16:41 of the third period, making it a historic moment for the team and its fans. This milestone comes as a testament to Kaprizov’s consistent performance and skill since joining the franchise.
Supporting Performances Propel the Wild to Victory
Alongside Kaprizov’s record-breaking goal, several other Minnesota players contributed to the win. Brock Faber, Mats Zuccarello, and Quinn Hughes each scored a goal and added an assist, while Yakov Trenin also found the net. The Wild ended a two-game losing streak, improving to 7-2-0 over their last nine matches. Matt Boldy continued his impressive run by assisting on three goals, extending his point streak to a career-high 10 games.
Filip Gustavsson stood strong in goal for Minnesota, stopping 24 shots. On the opposing side, Nikita Kucherov scored Tampa Bay’s lone goal, but Andrei Vasilevskiy was limited to 17 saves as the Lightning dropped their third straight game to start a four-game road trip.
Other Notable NHL Games Highlight the Night
In Edmonton, the Oilers came back from multiple deficits to edge out the Ottawa Senators 5-4 in overtime. Evan Bouchard scored the winning goal in OT after Zach Hyman tied the game in the final moments of regulation. Leon Draisaitl contributed significantly with two goals and three assists, aiding Edmonton to only their second win in seven games. Connor Ingram made 17 stops for the Oilers while Linus Ullmark recorded 32 saves for the Senators, who saw strong efforts from Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens.
Dallas Stars dominated the Calgary Flames 6-1, extending their franchise-record winning streak against Calgary to ten games. Sam Steel tallied two goals in a three-point performance, and Matt Duchene set a personal best with four assists. Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston each added a goal and an assist, contributing to a successful two-game road stretch for Dallas. Casey DeSmith made 20 saves in net, while Calgary’s Dustin Wolf was pulled early after allowing four goals on 17 shots.
Over in Colorado, the Avalanche defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-1, powered by a pair of goals by Parker Kelly and two assists from Cale Makar. Gabriel Landeskog and Martin Necas also scored, helping Colorado extend a three-game winning streak. Anaheim’s Cutter Gauthier scored a goal to continue his scoring streak but couldn’t prevent the team’s five-game winning streak from ending.
Boston Bruins edged out the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 thanks to goals from Marat Khusnutdinov and Casey Mittelstadt in the first period. Jeremy Swayman made 34 saves, marking his first win since winning Olympic gold with Team USA. The Bruins continued to impress with their 11th consecutive home win.
In Columbus, the Blue Jackets secured a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators with Charlie Coyle’s late goal proving decisive. Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli also scored to contribute to the Blue Jackets’ strong recent form. Jet Greaves returned after a brief concussion protocol interruption, making 21 saves. The Predators lost their third straight game, and Ryan O’Reilly exited due to an injury sustained in the third period.
Winnipeg Jets triumphed over the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime, with Mark Scheifele scoring the winning goal. Cole Perfetti equalized late in regulation for the Jets, who were aided by two assists from Scheifele and contributions from Dylan Samberg. Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves to secure the victory, while Spencer Knight stopped 29 shots for Chicago.
Buffalo Sabres overcame the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 to claim their fourth consecutive victory. Tage Thompson scored his 33rd goal of the season as Buffalo built a three-goal lead early. Owen Power, Jason Zucker, and Rasmus Dahlin also contributed for the Sabres, who hold the league’s best record since early December. Vegas, meanwhile, faced their third straight loss despite efforts from Ivan Barbashev and Pavel Dorofeyev.
San Jose Sharks defeated Montreal Canadiens 7-5 in a high-scoring contest. Kiefer Sherwood scored the game-winning goal and assisted another, while Macklin Celebrini posted one goal and three assists for San Jose. The Canadiens had efforts from Alex Newhook, who scored twice, and several other contributors. Yaroslav Askarov made 32 saves for the Sharks, while Jakub Dobes stopped 21 shots in goal for Montreal.
New Jersey Devils beat the Florida Panthers 5-1, led by Dougie Hamilton’s goal and assist. Jack Hughes and Connor Brown each contributed with two assists. The Panthers, on a three-game losing streak, were held to one goal by Anton Lundell despite Sergei Bobrovsky’s solid save total.
In lacrosse action, the Utah Mammoth narrowly defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2, powered by Dylan Guenther’s goal and assist. Clayton Keller also contributed with two assists. Utah’s goaltender Karel Vejmelka recorded 23 saves, halting Washington’s five-game home winning streak. Logan Thompson made 20 saves for the Capitals.
Implications of Kaprizov’s Milestone and Team Momentum
Kirill Kaprizov’s achievement as the Minnesota Wild’s all-time leading goal scorer marks a significant milestone for both the player and the franchise. His consistency and scoring ability continue to be a driving force behind Minnesota’s recent successes and their strong position in the NHL standings. With the team currently enjoying a seven-win stretch in nine games, Kaprizov’s record underscores the hopeful and determined energy surrounding the Wild’s campaign.
The team’s ability to bounce back from setbacks and capitalize on contributions across their roster paints an optimistic picture for the rest of the season. As Minnesota prepares for upcoming matchups, Kaprizov’s record-breaking moment can serve as motivation and a symbol of what the team aims to achieve moving forward.
