In the NHL, Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov showed early impact, adding a goal in the regular-season clash with Los Angeles. He also contributed points across four straight games to begin the campaign, reinforcing his role as a primary offensive driver for the team. This extended stretch marked a strong start for the Russian star as he settled into the rhythm of a full NHL season, building on his established reputation as an impactful scorer and playmaker.
Kaprizov continued his productive start by tallying points in each of the first four outings of the 2022/23 season, combining two goals with four assists to highlight his balanced scoring ability and his knack for generating offense in multiple ways. His presence helped Minnesota set a steady pace early in the year, with contributions coming from both goals and setup plays that kept the team competitive in the opening slate of games.
Looking ahead, Minnesota scheduled a contest against Columbus, with the game slated for October 22 and a start time aligned with Moscow at 3:00. The planning reflected the NHL’s broad schedule sometimes accommodating international audiences and the team’s global fan base, underscoring Kaprizov’s appeal and the franchise’s international reach.
In the NHL playoffs from the previous season, Minnesota endured a 2-4 defeat to the Dallas Stars in the first round. Kaprizov took part in all six games of the series, contributing a single goal as the Wild battled through a tightly contested matchup. The playoff performance, while not yielding a deep run, continued to demonstrate Kaprizov’s willingness to shoulder a heavy workload and deliver when it mattered most, reinforcing his reputation as a clutch scorer for Minnesota.
Throughout the regular season, the Russian forward appeared in 67 games for Minnesota, recording 40 goals and 35 assists. This output positioned him among the most productive Russian scorers in the league, ranking behind peers such as Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Artemi Panarin, and Nikita Kucherov. Kaprizov’s season was not without setbacks, as he missed a significant stretch due to injury, yet he remained central to the Wild’s offensive plans when healthy.
Kaprizov’s recent goal against Los Angeles did not alter the ultimate outcome for Minnesota in that particular meeting, but his continued production across multiple games and seasons underscored his value to the club. His ability to create scoring chances, finish plays, and influence games with both goals and assists has solidified his standing as a foundational piece of Minnesota’s attack and a key figure in the franchise’s ongoing pursuit of postseason success.