ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kirill Kaprizov showcased an impressive performance by scoring two goals and providing an assist, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.
In addition to Kaprizov’s contributions, Jake Middleton, Marcus Foligno, and Marco Rossi also found the back of the net for the Wild, while goaltender Filip Gustavsson turned away 32 shots to secure the win. With this victory, Minnesota improved its away record to 7-1-1, making them the team with the most road wins in the NHL this season.
On the other side, Robby Fabbri and Mason McTavish were the goal scorers for Anaheim, and Lukas Dostal stopped 25 shots in goal. During the second period, Trevor Zegras was given a penalty shot opportunity, but unfortunately, he failed to convert, sending his backhand attempt soaring over the crossbar.
The Ducks are currently facing difficulties, having been outscored 14-5 over a three-game losing streak.
Key Highlights
– For the Wild, Kaprizov has now taken the lead in NHL scoring, surpassing Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado with a total of 27 points. He’s particularly hot, accumulating six points—two goals and four assists—in just his last two games, placing him as a significant contender for the Hart Trophy at this early stage of the season.
– On the Ducks’ side, despite Dostal’s strong performances, the team has been unable to secure wins. In instances where he has an average night, like the one observed on Friday, Anaheim struggles to be competitive. Although they outshot the Wild 34-30, they were unable to take the lead and created very few quality scoring opportunities.
Defining Moment
A significant turning point in the game came when Middleton, Foligno, and Kaprizov scored three times within a rapid six-minute timeframe in the first period, establishing a decisive lead for the Wild. Middleton opened the scoring with a wrist shot at 7:31, followed by Foligno’s goal during a 2-on-1 rush at 9:11, and finally, Kaprizov capitalized on a delayed penalty with a precision shot from the faceoff circle with 7:28 left to play in the first period.
Important Stat
The Minnesota Wild have displayed an impressive offensive capability, averaging over four goals per game across their last 21 road games that stretch back to the previous season.
Looking Ahead
The Wild will wrap up their three-game road trip with an outing against the Chicago team on Sunday, while the Ducks will continue their six-game homestand with a matchup against Columbus.