Kaprizov scores twice as Wild beat Bruins 4-1 in home opener
Quinn Hughes added a goal and an assist as Minnesota rallied from an early deficit; Kaprizov also lodged a shot outside the net.
What's newMichael DiPietro made his first Boston start and his first NHL start since January 2022, stopping 26 of 29 shots.
Kirill Kaprizov scored twice as Minnesota overcame an early deficit to beat Boston 4-1 in its home opener at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday, Oct. 3. Quinn Hughes contributed a goal and an assist, and Jesper Wallstedt stopped 26 shots for the Wild, who improved to 2-0-0.
Tanner Jeannot put Boston ahead 1:53 into the first period. Michael DiPietro finished with 26 saves on 29 shots for the Bruins, who fell to 2-1-0 through 3 games. It was his first start with Boston and his third in the NHL, following his previous start for Vancouver on Jan. 23, 2022. Boston was playing the second half of a back-to-back.
DiPietro said he took responsibility for the loss and wanted to improve for his teammates. Boston coach Marco Sturm praised his performance and said he wished the Bruins could have earned him at least a point.
Minnesota took control in the second period. Kaprizov converted Maxim Shabanov's short pass on a power play at 6:11, giving Shabanov his first point with the Wild. Hughes put Minnesota ahead at 12:28 with a shot through traffic as a two-man advantage was ending.
Jared Spurgeon added a goal on the rush at 3:24 of the third period. Kaprizov completed the scoring into an empty net with 1:01 left.
Kaprizov also produced an unusual moment during the game. A one-timer from the right faceoff circle, following Spurgeon's pass, became trapped outside the goal in a gap between the mesh and the protective trim at the base of the net. Spectators briefly cheered, while broadcast announcers initially thought DiPietro had made a save. Officials retrieved the puck, and Kaprizov skated away smiling.
