Play of Kirill Kaprizov Carrying Minnesota Wild to Lead Over Vegas Golden Knights

This wasn’t the way many envisioned this series shaking out. The play of Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov and the rest of the youngsters have the State of Hockey believing. Many thought the Vegas Golden Knights would have a relatively easy time dispatching the Wild. However, Kaprizov and the rest of the young playmakers have guided Minnesota to a 2-1 series lead.

The Wild look like the squad that got off to a great start out the gate this season. Injuries hampered Minnesota and it had to sweat a bit to get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the Wild are two games away from dumping out one of the early favourites to win the Western Conference.

Vegas has to quickly figure things out and win three of the next four games to advance to the second round. It’s not an impossible task, but one that’s getting increasing difficult by the game.

Let’s take a look at how the play of Kirill Kaprizov and the other youthful players are giving Minnesota the series advantage.

Play of Kirill Kaprizov Giving Wild Shocking Lead over Golden Knights

The young Russian already has four goals in the first three games this series. His two power-play markers have helped the Wild power play cash in on Golden Knights’ penalties in the opening three games of the series.

Game 1 went according to form with what many experts had in mind for the series. Vegas showed its defensive depth and goalie Adin Hill played much like he did when it hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2023. However, Minnesota has flipped the script in Games 2 and 3.

Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek have been the perfect compliments to Kaprizov this series. Like Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek missed a good portion of the season due to injuries. However, the band is back together and causing all sorts of headaches for the the vaunted Knights’ defence.

Boldy and Eriksson Ek have been just as important as Kaprizov in making life miserable for Vegas. Wild Head Coach John Hynes has seemingly helped Boldy unlike another level play. Fellow young players like Brock Faber and Zeev Buium have anchored the Minnesota defence. Marco Rossi has also been a factor in the series as well for the club.

Wild Veterans Chipping In

It’s not just the play of Kirill Kaprizov powering the Wild. Veterans like Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman have also made contributions this series. Foligno, the Wild’s captain, scored in Game 3 and has been the team’s steady leader.

Hartman’s shot bounced off Kaprizov’s chest and went in to beat the second-period buzzer. That goal seemingly was the kill-shot for Minnesota and ended any momentum for Vegas.

Kaprizov and the other younger players may be getting the headlines. However, these veterans are giving Minnesota some much-needed depth.

Not-So Golden Knights

Jack Eichel was the team’s leader in points for Vegas in the regular season. However, the former second overall pick has been held without a point in the opening three games.

Vegas could rely on Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev to supply a share of the offence. However, Eichel has struggled and the Knights need the offence to come alive in the coming games.

One other thing the Knights have been known for is their defensive depth. However, it seems like they’ve been having to chase the Wild’s younger players around the ice. Minnesota’s speed and playmaking have been great in the last two games of the series.

Defencemen Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin have scored in the series, but the Vegas defence needs to tighten things up. The Golden Knights have struggled against the Wild power play and need to fix things at the back.

A Look at the Goalie Battle

Hill does have a Stanley Cup and can steal games. However, Filip Gustavsson has been playing well this entire post-season. The Swedish netminder settled in after a shaky opening-game of the series.

Gustavsson made 30 saves in Game 3 and has been a steadying force in the last two games. Vegas likes to put a lot of shots on net, but Gustavsson has been up to the task in Games 2 and 3.

Minnesota had only 22 shots in Game 3, but made the most of them. Foligno did pot an empty-net goal for the Wild, but they’ve been able to maximize their chances.

This series is far from over, but Vegas needs to find a way to fix things quickly. The Golden Knights have a Stanley Cup pedigree and talented players. However, the defence and other phases of the game need to improve.

Vegas has given up an average of four goals a game this series. Golden Knights Head Coach Bruce Cassidy is usually very good at making adjustments. However, Vegas will have to figure out the formula that got them the Pacific Division title. If not, the Western Conference side of the bracket could be blown wide open.