The Minnesota Wild once again have superstar Kirill Kaprizov to thank.
The Russian shoots the Wild im LAOLA1-LIVE game with a hat-trick to single-handedly win the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 after overtime.
Columbus missed the next upset after beating the Edmonton Oilers 6-4 the day before. After 40 minutes, the team with the worst points in the league was 2-0 up. Minnesota celebrates an important win in the fight for the playoffs.
After an even opening third, the Blue Jackets benefited from a mistake in the Wild’s build-up play. Oliver puts the guests in front after preparatory work by Robinson (17th).
Curious goal initiates comeback
In the middle third, Minnesota can once again create too few compelling scoring chances. The Blue Jackets can then cheer again. Foudy deflects a sharp pass from Gubranson into the goal (24′).
Minnesota comes out of the cabin with a lot of momentum at the beginning of the final section and celebrates an extremely curious goal. A shot by Hartmann from the blue line is initially deflected by Spurgeon. Kaprizov is waiting a few steps behind, directing the disc to Peeke’s shoulder. The puck then jumps into the goal from the Columbus defender (42′).
A few minutes later, the hosts celebrate the equalizer with a double advantage. After a face-off, the disc bounces off Boldy’s ice skate to Kaprizov, who free-standing in the slot converts it ice cold – 2:2 (47./PP2).
Kaprizov hat-trick decides game
As a result, Minnesota is the game-governing team but fails to decide the game in regulation time. Merzlikins is always the end of the line. Overtime has to make the decision.
There Kaprizov crowns his successful evening. After four uneventful minutes, the home side switch quickly. 20 seconds before the shootout, Addison places the disc on Zuccarello, who keeps track of it and finds the free-standing Russian in the slot. Kaprizov doesn’t show any weaknesses and hits the much-acclaimed overtime victory with a one-timer (65th).
The Wild are returning to winning ways after losing the shootout to Toronto. Thanks to the success, Minnesota jumped into second place in the Central Division with 72 points.
Columbus remains at the bottom of the league with 44 points.
Buffalo Sabers jump to wildcard spot after thrashing
Earlier, the Buffalo Sabers celebrated a 7-4 thrashing of the Washington Capitals and celebrated two important points against a direct competitor in the battle for the Eastern Conference playoff spots.
Man of the night is Dylan Cozens with a hat trick. The Sabers are looking to end an 11-year playoff streak this season. Buffalo has waited to compete in the postseason since 2011, longer than any other NHL team.
Currently, the Sabers sit in second wildcard spot with 66 points. A point behind lurk the Pittsburgh Penguins. Detroit, Florida and Washington are each two points behind in the playoff race.
