Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Opens scoring on power play
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Kaprizov scored a power-play goal on six shots and added three hits in Monday's 3-2 double-overtime win over the Stars.
Kaprizov got a subtle tip on a Jared Spurgeon shot to open the scoring at 19:12 of the first period. While Kaprizov played in just two of the Wild's last 17 games due to a lower-body injury and rest, he'll likely gut things out during the playoffs. The 25-year-old was excellent in 2022-23 with 40 goals, 35 assists, 261 shots on net, 66 hits and a plus-4 rating over 67 appearances.
Per Joe Smith of The Athletic, Kaprizov (rest) practiced on the first line Saturday, putting him on track to play in Monday's Game 1 versus Dallas.
Kaprizov was always expected to be ready for Game 1 against the Stars after getting a night off to rest Thursday against Nashville. He racked up 40 goals and 75 points through 67 contests during the regular season.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Getting night off
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Kaprizov will not be in the lineup against the Predators on Thursday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Kaprizov has played in just two games since early March but did manage to put up decent numbers with one goal 11 shots and one hit in those pair of appearances. With several Wild players sitting out, Minnesota's top line will likely be Gustav Nyquist, Frederick Gaudreau and Marcus Foligno. Once the playoffs start, look for Kaprizov to retake his place on both the first line and No. 1 power-play unit.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Reaches 40-goal milestone
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Kaprizov (undisclosed) scored a power-play goal in Minnesota's 3-1 loss to Winnipeg on Tuesday.
It was just Kaprizov's second appearance over Minnesota's last 16 games because of injury troubles. Even after missing all that time, Kaprizov's marker Tuesday was his 40th of the season, making this the second straight campaign in which he's reached that milestone. The 25-year-old also has 35 assists, 32 power-play points and 261 shots in 67 appearances in 2022-23.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Poised to return Tuesday
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Kaprizov (undisclosed) is expected to suit up versus Winnipeg on Tuesday, per NHL.com.
Kaprizov has played in just one game over the team's last 15 contests in which he registered three shots while averaging 20:26 of ice time, including 6:03 with the man advantage. With Kaprizov back in the lineup, he figures to return to both the first line and No. 1 power-play unit where he will be capable of offering top-end fantasy value.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Won't play Monday
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Kaprizov (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup Monday against Chicago, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Head coach Dean Evason said Monday that Kaprizov could play Tuesday against Winnipeg despite being "banged up." It sounds like Minnesota is being cautious with Kaprizov after he played Saturday against St. Louis for the first time since March 8 because of a lower-body injury.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Returning to action Saturday
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Kaprizov (lower body) will return to action Saturday versus St. Louis.
Kaprizov has missed 13 games with the injury suffered in Winnipeg on March 8. He has 39 goals and 74 points in 65 games with 250 shots on goal. Kaprizov will return to the top line as well as seeing first unit power play time.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Iffy against St. Louis
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When asked if there's a chance Kaprizov (lower body) will be ready to play Saturday versus the Blues, coach Dean Evason said "Is there a chance? I guess, yeah. Probably one," Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.
Kaprizov has yet to be cleared for contact, and he'll miss a 13th straight game Thursday against the Penguins, but it sounds like there's at least a small chance he'll be ready to return against St. Louis on Saturday. It wouldn't be surprising to see the 25-year-old winger's status versus the Blues boil down to a game-time decision.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Resumes skating
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Kaprizov skated on his own Monday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury March 8 against Winnipeg, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
It's unclear at this time if Kaprizov will be ready to return to the lineup before the start of the playoffs. According to The Athletic, the Wild hope he can play in the final week of the regular season. Kaprizov leads Minnesota in 2022-23 with 39 goals and 74 points through 65 games.
Coach Dean Evason said on Thursday that Kaprizov (lower body) has yet to return to the ice, Wild reporter Kevin Falness reports.
Kaprizov was injured March 8 and was expected to be out 3-4 weeks. Evason said that "it will be a while" so It's beginning to look that the three-week mark will come and go without Kaprizov back in action. The Wild winger has 39 goals and 74 points in 65 games, but it is possible that he may not return in the regular season. Stay tuned.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Still not skating
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Kaprizov (lower body) has yet to start skating, but coach Dean Evason said that he is still on schedule to return in 2-3 weeks, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.
Kaprizov was injured March 8 versus Winnipeg and the original prognosis was 3-4 weeks. It has already been over a week for the superstar, who should return before the playoffs. Kaprizov has 39 goals and 74 points in 65 games this season.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Out 3-4 weeks
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Kaprizov (lower body) will miss the next 3-4 weeks, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.
That's horrible news for Kaprizov and the Wild, who are tied for first place in the Central Division standings. Kaprizov was injured Wednesday when he did the splits and had Winnipeg's Logan Stanley fall on him awkwardly. The talented winger has 39 goals and 35 assists in 65 games this season. He could return as early as the end of March, but it is possible that he'll miss the remainder of the regular season if there are any setbacks.
Kaprizov (lower body) exited Wednesday after a collision with Winnipeg's Logan Stanley that caused the Wild winger to fall awkwardly in the third period. After the game, head coach Dean Evason had no update on Kaprizov's status, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Kaprizov essentially did the splits before Stanley fell on him. Kaprizov got up gingerly and eventually went to the locker room. Evason expects to know more after the winger receives a full examination Thursday. The Wild's next game is Saturday in San Jose.
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Wild's Kirill Kaprizov: Scores both goals in win
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Kaprizov tallied twice on nine shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Canucks.
Kaprizov has recorded three multi-goal efforts over his last seven contests. The 25-year-old struck 44 seconds into the first period and added the game-winner in the second to secure this low-scoring win. He's up to 39 goals and 73 points through 62 appearances this season, and six of his tallies have been game-winners. Kaprizov also has 242 shots on net, 64 hits and a plus-5 rating.
