Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov’s most memorable NHL goals

Wrap-arounds. One-timers. Head-scratching trickery.

Kirill Kaprizov has impressed with his scoring ability ever since he debuted with the Wild four seasons ago, with the winger often making moves that beg the question: How did he do that?

This is what Kaprizov was thinking on some of his more memorable and creative goals in his NHL career:

Goal: Feb. 26, 2021, vs. Los Angeles (3-1 Wild win)

Play: After picking up his own rebound and going for a wrap-around, Kaprizov swings the puck into the net from behind the goal and as he’s getting taken down to the ice by the Kings’ Drew Doughty.

Kaprizov’s take: “This one was pretty good. I don’t know. It was a little lucky. Look at me after goal. I’m like, ‘What?’ I’m surprised it went in.”

Goal: Jan. 17, 2022, at Colorado (4-3 Wild shootout loss)

Play: Kaprizov collides with the Avalanche’s Erik Johnson in front of the boards before peeling away from traffic and setting up for a one-timer at the top of the right faceoff circle. Afterward, Kaprizov celebrated by jumping on his skates and pumping his arms.

Kaprizov’s take: “This I like because he tried to hit me, and I just hit him back and Colorado fans after this hit start to, ‘Ohhhh’ and then, ‘Uhhhh.’” On the celebration: “I have more emotion after hit and then score.”

Goal: Feb. 2, 2022, at Chicago (5-0 Wild win)

Play: While skating into Blackhawks territory after forcing a neutral-zone turnover, Kaprizov passes off to Mats Zuccarello and then hangs back from the crowd in front of the net to polish off a give-and-go with a one-timer.

Kaprizov’s take: “Flower,” he said with a laugh when he notices he scored on current teammate Marc-Andre Fleury. “It’s hard for goalie if you shoot it right away. I try go in open ice. It’s hard for the ‘D.’ Look at me, this guy, he thinks he take me. I just stop.”

Goals: Feb. 19, 2024, vs. Vancouver (10-7 Wild win)

Plays: This is Kaprizov’s fourth NHL hat trick, and it starts with him uncorking a one-timer from the right side during a 5-on-3 power play after a lengthy scramble for the puck in the crease. His second goal is another one-timer off a wrap-around pass from Matt Boldy. Then Kaprizov completes the hat trick by draining an empty-netter from center ice with 1.9 second left.

Kaprizov’s take: “This was fun. It was crazy game.” On waiting for the puck during the scramble in front before his first goal: “No reason. Somebody just give me it. I score right away.” On the second goal: “Bolds, I think he wanted to do wrap-around and puck come on my stick.” Did he expect the pass? “Yeah.” Did he call for it? “No, I say nothing.” On the empty-netter: “It’s five seconds [left]. I don’t know. I just, ‘OK, if you want to give me [the shot], OK, I’ll take it.’”

Goal: April 15, 2024, at Los Angeles (3-1 Wild win)

Play: From below the goal line as he’s skating toward the net, Kaprizov flips the puck in off goalie Cam Talbot’s mask.

Kaprizov’s take: “Some goalies play high and close everything. He play low.” How did you think of this move? “First year in KHL I score like this a couple times.”