Wild rookie Kirill Kaprizov is NHL's second star for the week

The leading candidate for the Calder Trophy had a big hand in the team's strong performance.

May 10, 2021 at 5:17PM
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Kirill Kaprizov (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Add another honor to Kirill Kaprizov's thrilling rookie season.

Kaprizov was named the NHL's second star of the week on Monday after picking up four goals and four assists in four games to help the Wild go 3-0-1.

After delivering the tying goal late in regulation during a 6-5 comeback for the Wild over Vegas on May 3, Kaprizov scored twice in the third period last Wednesday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights.

On Friday, he potted his second career overtime goal to lead the Wild to a 4-3 win against Anaheim. And then in the rematch Saturday, Kaprizov set up two goals in another 4-3 overtime victory.

The 24-year-old is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie, leading the Wild and all first-year players rookies in goals (27) and points (51).

Kaprizov is on a career-high six-game point streak. He also has multiple points in four straight games. Overall, he has 16 points — including 11 goals — in his last 12 games and has already set new Wild rookie records for goals, assists and points in a season.

This is the second time Kaprizov has been recognized by the NHL as a star of the week. He was the first star for the first week of the season after scoring in overtime in his NHL debut and finishing with four points in his first two games.

Edmonton's Connor McDavid was crowned the NHL's first star after compiling a jaw-dropping 13 points in four games to hit 100 points — becoming just the ninth player in league history (and first since 1995-96) to reach the century mark in 53 games or less within a single season.

Vegas' Marc-Andre Fleury, who went 2-0 and moved into sole possession of third place on the NHL's all-time wins list for a goalie, was tabbed the third star. Fleury passed Roberto Luongo for third place in that 3-2 overtime win over the Wild at Xcel Energy Center last week.

about the writer

about the writer

Sarah McLellan

Minnesota Wild and NHL

Sarah McLellan covers the Wild and NHL. Before joining the Star Tribune in November 2017, she spent five years covering the Coyotes for The Arizona Republic.

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