The Vegas Golden Knights entered Game 2 hoping to take a 2-0 series lead, but will now head to Minnesota with the series tied after Kirill Kaprizov imposed his will, helping the Minnesota Wild win 5-2.
Heading into the series, a lot was made of the matchup between Kaprizov and Jack Eichel, but through two games, it’s been all Kaprizov. The 27-year-old Russian winger has scored two goals and five points on seven Wild goals. All three of Kaprizov’s assists have been primary helpers on Matt Boldy’s goals.
Kaprizov’s dominance should not diminish Boldy’s excellence. Through two games, he’s showcased his skill, hockey IQ, and physicality. Boldy has found ways to sneak behind the Golden Knights’ defence and open up passing lanes for Kaprizov. On last night’s opening goal, he was first to notice the change of possession, darted up the middle of the ice, received an outstanding pass from Kaprizov and used his body to shield Shea Theodore from the puck before finishing off the breakaway chance.
“It was unbelievable,” Boldy said, mentioning that it may be the best pass he’s ever seen.
As great as Boldy has been, it’s Kaprizov who has his hands in every bit of action that comes from the Wild.
Through two games, the Wild have outscored the Golden Knights 3-1 at 5-on-5 with Kaprizov on the ice, own 56.89% of the expected goals, and out-chance the Golden Knights 23-10.
The Golden Knights need more from their best players to maintain or keep up with Kaprizov. Eichel and Mark Stone have not yet recorded a point through two games and are a -3. Theodore had a very difficult night, finding himself on the ice for all four Wild goals as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead. He turned the puck over for two goals and was caught puck-watching on the others.
“He’s trying to do too much out there. It’s that simple,” HC Bruce Cassidy said of Theodore. “He was light on the puck tonight. What do you want me to say? He’s a great player for us. It wasn’t his night, and it snowballed. There’s a player trying to make amends, and I respect that. I like that. It didn’t go that way, and someone has to pick him up by putting out a fire.”
Injuries are the only way Kaprizov has been held in check this season. During the regular season, he scored 25 goals and 56 points in 41 games. Going back to Minnesota, it will be harder for Cassidy to get the matchups he wants against the 2015 fifth-round pick, but it will have to be a team effort to slow him down.
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