Kirill Kaprizov leaves game vs. Winnipeg Jets early after awkward fall with Logan Stanley
Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov left Wednesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets early with a possible injury.
Evason had no update on Kaprizov. Hearing he hasn't had a full examination yet and that will happen in Minnesota on tomorrow's off-day #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 9, 2023Wild head coach Dean Evason had no update on Kaprizov after the game, but mentioned they may know more on the injury tomorrow after a medical exam.
Kaprizov left the game midway through the third period after Jets defenseman Logan Stanley fell on him, and Kaprizov’s legs split awkwardly as he landed on the ice.
He had 14:50 of ice time and an assist on what would be the game-winning goal from Ryan Hartman in the Wild’s 4-2 win over the Jets.
Kaprizov is having another fantastic season, with 39 goals, 35 assists, and 74 points in 65 games this year. It’s not quite on pace to eclipse his career-high in points from last season, but he is tied for sixth in goals and 16th in points in the league.
Matt Boldy appeared to replace Kaprizov on that top line with Hartman and Mats Zuccarello for the rest of the game. Boldy’s scoring pace is down from his rookie season, but he has set career highs for his totals with 17 goals, 25 assists, and 42 points in 64 games.
Sam Steel and Brandon Duhaime were healthy scratches for the game, so one of them would likely draw in to the lineup should Kaprizov’s injury cause him to miss any games.
A fifth round pick for the Wild in 2015, Kaprizov spent six seasons in the KHL before finally playing in the NHL with the Wild in 2020-21. He’s in the second year of a five-year contract with a $9 million cap hit, one he signed after a dynamic rookie season for the Wild that won him the Calder Trophy.
It could be a big loss for the Wild, who are fighting for favourable positioning in the Central Division as the playoffs approach. They are tied with the Dallas Stars for first with the division with a 37-21-7 record, with tonight’s win over the Jets also giving them a six-point lead over fourth place and one of the Western Conference’s wild card spots.