Sometimes, Minnesota Wild coach John Hynes wishes his star player, Kirill Kaprizov, would come off the ice soon after practice.
But Kaprizov lingers, often half an hour or more, taking many shots from all angles. Hynes is worried that Kaprizov will push himself but also knows that the extra work pays off in games, when Kaprizov hits the same shots he does a lot.
Kaprizov and the Wild will look hot when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday evening in Saint Paul, Minn.
Minnesota is looking for its second win in as many days after coming off a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. Kaprizov scored two goals in the game, giving him a season-high 20 goals.
“The level of consistency with which he plays at the highest level night in and night out is very impressive,” Hynes said. “He’s a leader of our team on the ice, off the ice. Having him play at the level he’s playing at, it helps drive the team.”
Vegas will also be playing on short rest after losing 6-3 on the road against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. The Golden Knights have won their last four games, including a 3-2 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
Vegas forward Ivan Barbashev said he and his teammates are glad they changed quickly to face the Wild. That way, instead of focusing on the loss, they can transfer their frustration to the next game at short notice.
“It’s like waking up slowly,” Barbashev said. “We have to get back to our normal game. Regroup on the flight to Minny and try to come out and play better.
“(Minnesota) is a really good team. This trip is very tough — we play Winnipeg, Edmonton and Minny (Sunday). We have to turn the page and get better.”
The Golden Knights may turn to Ilya Samsonov in net overnight after Adin Hill gave up six goals on 34 shots against Edmonton. Samsonov is 6-3-1 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .896 save percentage this season.
In two career games against the Wild, Samsonov is 2-0-0 with a 2.48 GAA and a .912 save percentage.
Minnesota’s goaltending picture is unclear after the team recalled Jesper Wallstedt on an emergency call from the American Hockey League team in Iowa after the game. Wallstedt’s promotion means either Filip Gustavsson or Marc-Andre Fleury is facing something that could keep him out of action on Sunday.
Wallstedt, 22, appeared in three games with the Wild last season. He went 2-1-0 with a 3.01 GAA and a .897 save percentage.
If Wallstedt starts, it will mark his first meeting against the Golden Knights.
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said his team will have to fight hard against the Wild.
“They’re a good defensive team, so if you can be strong on the puck down low, get to the inside ice — you’re going to have to do that,” Cassidy said. “And we might meet another hot goalie. We did in Winnipeg the other night and we finally broke through at the end. …
“If we can do that (Sunday) and bring the same energy, we should be fine.”
–Field Level Media