Kirill Kaprizov fined $5,000 after high-sticking match penalty against Drew Doughty

Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov has received a $5,000 fine after receiving a match penalty for high-sticking Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kirill Kaprizov in the face on Tuesday.

Kaprizov was ejected after turning around and cross-checking Doughty in the chin late in the second period. After Kaprizov skated off the ice, Doughty turned around and waved goodbye.

The match penalty was based on “intent to injure”, although the principal point of contact was with Kaprizov’s left glove and not his stick. That’s why Doughty only received a fine instead of a one-game suspension, which could have been assessed along with the match penalty.

Kaprizov is eligible to play for the Wild during the team’s game in Anaheim on Wednesday.

Kaprizov currently leads the Wild with eight goals and 13 points in 12 games, building upon a successful sophomore effort that saw him record 47 goals and 108 points last year. Many pegged Kaprizov as a threat for the Hart Trophy this season, so it’s a good thing the Wild won’t lose him in the lineup.

The Wild sit sixth in the Central Division with a 5-6-1 record through 12 games. The Central currently has the tightest race in the standings, with Winnipeg (first) sitting just five points ahead of Nashville (seventh). The Wild have been shut out in their last two games, so they’ll look to rebound on Wednesday.