Kirill Kaprizov helps Wild pull away from Sharks

Field Level Media|published: Sun 14th April, 01:27 2024

Apr 13, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund (64), Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (14), and San Jose Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun (3) race to the puck during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. credits: David Gonzales-USA TODAY Sports

Kirill Kaprizov scored two goals and added one assist, and the Minnesota Wild pulled away for a 6-2 win over the host San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

Liam Ohgren added his first career goal and his first career assist for Minnesota (38-33-9, 85 points). Matt Boldy also tallied a goal and an assist, and Declan Chisholm and Marcus Johansson scored one goal apiece.

Jan Rutta and Mario Ferraro each scored one goal for San Jose (19-52-9, 47 points). The Sharks missed an opportunity to post back-to-back wins for the first time since January.

Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt stopped 27 of 29 shots to earn his second career victory.

Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood gave up six goals on 38 shots.

Minnesota opened the scoring 5:19 into the first period. Boldy fired a one-timer from the low left circle for his 28th goal of the season and his second in the past three games.

San Jose evened the score at 1-1 with 10:28 left in the first period. Rutta fired a slap shot that initially was headed wide right, but it deflected off Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian and went into the net.

The Wild regained a 2-1 lead with 3:09 remaining in the first period. Chisholm scored from the top of the right circle for his third goal in 29 games this season.

Ohgren notched an assist on Chisholm's goal for his first NHL point.

Late in the second period, Ohgren added his first NHL goal as part of a milestone game. The 20-year-old from Sweden scored with 5:37 remaining in the period when he punched in a loose puck with a backhanded shot.

The Sharks cut the deficit to 3-2 with 4:08 left in the second period. Ferraro scored on a one-timer from the slot for his third goal of the season.

Kaprizov scored back-to-back goals in the final minute of the second period to put Minnesota on top 5-2. He notched his first goal with 56 seconds left in the period, and he struck again 47 seconds later for his second goal of the game and 44th of the season.

Johansson finished the scoring 1:46 into the third period with his 11th goal.

—Field Level Media