Breaking: Kirill Kaprizov lifts Wild past Canadiens 4-3 in overtime, Minnesota wins fourth straight
The building went silent for a beat, then it roared. Kirill Kaprizov ripped a clean shot on a power play in overtime to win it 4-3 for the Minnesota Wild. He scored twice on the night, then sealed the extra point with the kind of finish stars save for the final act. This is a statement win. It is also Minnesota’s fourth in a row, and it felt like a team finding its rhythm at the right time.
Kaprizov closes it out
The overtime goal told the story. Kaprizov drifted into space, opened his blade, and never hesitated. The puck was on and off his stick in a flash. Montreal’s defenders reached. Their goalie reacted late. The net rippled.
Kaprizov was the best player on the ice tonight. He attacked with pace. He drew coverage and still found lanes. His second goal was the winner, but his first set the tone. When he plays downhill, the Wild follow.
Final: Wild 4, Canadiens 3, OT. Minnesota has won four straight. Kaprizov scored twice, including the power-play winner.
Special teams tilt the ice
The game swung on details. Entries were cleaner. Pucks were shot with traffic. The Wild power play, which has sharpened during this streak, stepped up in the biggest moment. In overtime, it only needed one chance.
Minnesota’s patience with the extra man was key. They moved the puck low to high, then attacked the seams. Montreal tried to box the slot. One missed stick check was all it took. That is the margin in sudden death.
The penalty kill also mattered. Minnesota weathered dangerous looks, then cleared with control. That steady work kept the game within reach, and it set up the late push. Special teams do not win every night. Tonight, they did.
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A fast, heavy game with playoff edge
This felt like late spring in early winter. Every puck battle had weight. The teams traded rushes. Hits finished hard along the glass. Both benches were loud. Montreal never went away. Each time Minnesota grabbed momentum, the Canadiens punched back.
The Wild answered with layers. The forwards tracked deep. The defense closed gaps early. Minnesota’s structure showed under pressure. The group stayed calm after mistakes, then skated through the next shift. That is how win streaks grow.
Why the finish matters
Overtime is about nerve. You must own the puck, or risk it all. Minnesota did not flinch after drawing the call. The players on the ice knew where the shot would come from. So did the crowd. Kaprizov still found the hole.
This was not luck. It was preparation and trust. The spacing was right. The reads were quick. The shot was ruthless.
Minnesota’s power play is most dangerous when the puck moves faster than the defense. Watch the quick touch passes that freeze the box.
What it means for Minnesota
Four straight wins change a room. Lines build chemistry. Coaches trust more matchups. The Wild are stacking points and sharpening details. Kaprizov’s edge is back, and it shows in every zone. His feet drive plays. His hands finish them.
This result also rewards the blue line. Breakouts were cleaner over the final forty minutes. Smart first passes turned defense into speed. That helps the whole group, from the fourth line to the top unit.
Small moments added up to the win. Blocked shots. Smart chips. Clean changes. The habits are there, and they hold under stress.
- Final score, Wild 4, Canadiens 3, overtime
- Kaprizov scored two, including the power-play winner
- Minnesota extends its winning streak to four games
- Special teams and poise in overtime made the difference
What it means for Montreal
The Canadiens leave with a point, and plenty to like. Their pace gave Minnesota trouble in open ice. Their compete never dipped. They forced turnovers high and turned them into looks. That travel home will still sting. An overtime penalty against a hot power play is a thin line to walk.
There is growth here. The young core pushed an in-form team to the limit. The next step is closing. Clean exits under heat. Fewer second chances at the net. One more clear in overtime, and this story reads very differently.
The bottom line
The night belongs to Kirill Kaprizov. He was calm, confident, and cold when it mattered. Minnesota’s surge rolls on, four wins and counting. The Wild did not just beat Montreal. They solved a tense game with structure, speed, and a star who finished the job. The puck dropped, the moment rose, and the closer delivered. 🏒
