On a day where the attention of the Minnesota hockey world belonged to Kirill Kaprizov, he made a splash after sunset as well.
Following a thunderous ovation and a wave to the crowd when his new contract was recognized early in the Wild’s final home preseason game, Kaprizov set up the Wild’s first goal and scored their second one in a 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
The Wild trailed 1-0 and 2-1 before Kaprizov deflected a Zeev Buium shot to tie the game, and Marcus Foligno scored on a shorthanded breakaway. The Wild also killed a penalty in the final three minutes to preserve the win.
Jesper Wallstedt, the likely backup to top goalie Filip Gustavsson, had 26 saves in the win.
Minnesota improved to 2-2-1 in the preseason with the victory. Their final tune-up is Friday in Chicago, ahead of their regular season debut on Thursday, Oct. 9 in St. Louis.
Connor Hellebuyck had 17 saves for the Jets. Winnipeg star forward Jonathan Toews left the game in the second period and did not return.
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