The Minnesota Wild hosted the Montreal Canadiens in a regular season NHL matchup and emerged with a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory. The game showcased a blend of steady offense, clutch moments on special teams, and late-game drama that rounded out a entertaining night on the ice for fans in North America.
Early on, Minnesota took control with a fast start that put them up 2-0. Matt Boldy kicked things off with a decisive strike, and Marco Rossi followed with a second goal that set the tone for the home side. One of the helpers on the first goal came from Kirill Kaprizov, a dynamic Russian forward who has become a central figure for the Wild with his vision, speed, and playmaking ability. The early pressure signaled the Wild’s intent to push tempo and seize momentum from the outset, a strategy that paid dividends as the period wore on. [Citation: NHL game log, team press notes]
Montreal answered back in the middle frame, with David Savard and Nick Suzuki lighting the lamp to close the gap. The game swung back and forth as goaltenders held firm, and the tension built as both squads traded chances. In the 49th minute, Brock Faber converted on a power play, a moment that again gave Minnesota the lead and was credited to Kaprizov on the primary assist—an instance that underscored his all-around impact from the wing to the backend. The period closed with Montreal pressing to equalize, a sign that this one would not be decided easily. [Citation: Game capsule]
With four minutes left in regulation, Juraj Slafkovský stepped up for Montreal and found the back of the net to tie the score, sending the teams into overtime with everything still up for grabs. In the extra frame, Kaprizov capped off a standout performance by putting away the game-winning goal, sealing a victory that reflected Minnesota’s persistence and the small margins that often decide NHL games. The overtime heroics amplified Kaprizov’s reputation as a game-changing presence who can shift momentum in an instant. [Citation: Overtime summary]
Across the season, Kirill Kaprizov has been a driving force for the Wild, skating in 31 games and posting 11 goals along with 20 assists. His production has been a key factor in Minnesota’s attack, helping to set up linemates and creating scoring chances on transition plays. The blend of his stick handling, speed, and instincts has made him a frequent focal point for defenders who must account for his playmaking and finishing ability. [Citation: Player stats]
Historically, Kaprizov’s impact has dominated much of last season as well. In the prior regular season, the Russian forward appeared in 67 games for Minnesota, tallying 40 goals and 35 assists, numbers that placed him among the high-end producers in the lineup. This level of production, combined with his longevity and consistency, has helped strengthen Minnesota’s identity as an offensive team capable of generating high-danger chances and capitalizing on opportunities in the offensive zone. [Citation: Season recap]
Additionally, the season has seen other notable performances from players who contributed to the team’s success. Three points by another pivotal skater in the league’s Russian contingent pushed a different franchise toward a pivotal win, illustrating how the broader cadre of Russian forwards has continually influenced outcomes across the conference. The result was a reminder that even in a league filled with star talent, timely goals on both sides can tilt the balance in a single night. [Citation: Team recap]