Kaprizov scores overtime winner as Wild beat Montreal, extend point streak to nine games

MONTREAL — Kirill Kaprizov needed only 21 seconds of overtime to turn a potentially frustrating finish into another Minnesota Wild victory Tuesday night, scoring on the power play to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 and extend Minnesota's point streak to nine games.

Kaprizov connected on a one-timer from the right faceoff circle during a four-on-three advantage, giving the Wild their sixth consecutive road victory and improving their record to 13-3-4. Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves, and Bobby Brink scored Minnesota's only regulation goal in a tightly contested matchup between two of the NHL's strongest early-season teams.

The victory came after Montreal captain Nick Suzuki tied the game with 1:38 remaining in regulation, threatening to deny Minnesota a victory it had protected through most of the third period. Instead, a late slashing penalty against Canadiens forward Cole Caufield gave the Wild a power play that carried into overtime, where Kaprizov delivered his 17th goal of the season.

Minnesota improved to 7-0-2 during its nine-game point streak and has earned 30 of a possible 40 standings points through its first 20 games. The Wild will attempt to continue their road success Thursday at Toronto before completing their three-game trip Saturday in Boston.

Wallstedt wins goaltending duel

The game developed into a defensive contest between Wallstedt and Montreal rookie Jacob Fowler, with neither team scoring during the first two periods.

Wallstedt was particularly effective during a second period in which Montreal controlled extended stretches of play and generated several dangerous opportunities. The Minnesota goaltender turned aside scoring chances from Alexandre Texier, Alex Newhook and Phillip Danault, helping the Wild remain even despite spending considerable time defending.

Fowler was equally effective at the other end, finishing with 22 saves and keeping Minnesota from establishing an early advantage. The Canadiens goaltender entered the game with one of the league's strongest save percentages and had not lost in regulation since his season debut Oct. 8.

Montreal appeared to score midway through the first period when Newhook's power-play shot struck the crossbar, rolled along the iron and hit the post before bouncing away. A video review determined that the puck never completely crossed the goal line, preserving the scoreless tie.

The sequence became particularly important as both teams struggled to generate sustained offense against disciplined defensive coverage and strong goaltending.

Wallstedt continued his impressive start to the season, demonstrating the positioning and composure that have helped Minnesota overcome injuries elsewhere in its lineup.

The Wild have relied heavily on the young goaltender during Filip Gustavsson's absence, and Tuesday's performance provided another indication that Minnesota has dependable goaltending depth.

Brink breaks scoreless tie

Minnesota finally broke through at 2:53 of the third period when Brink capitalized on a Montreal turnover near the neutral zone.

Canadiens forward Josh Anderson mishandled the puck after coming off the bench, allowing Brink to gain possession and break away from the defense. The Wild forward carried the puck into the offensive zone and beat Fowler with a wrist shot to the glove side.

The unassisted goal gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead and changed the direction of a game that had been dominated by defensive play and goaltending.

Brink's ability to recognize the turnover and convert the opportunity provided the kind of secondary scoring Minnesota needs when opponents concentrate their defensive attention on Kaprizov and the Wild's established offensive leaders.

The goal also rewarded Minnesota for remaining patient through two scoreless periods.

Rather than forcing offensive plays against Montreal's defensive structure, the Wild waited for an opportunity and capitalized when the Canadiens made a mistake.

Minnesota then attempted to protect its one-goal advantage through the remainder of the third period.

Montreal increased its pressure during the closing minutes, creating scoring opportunities and forcing Wallstedt to make several important saves.

The Canadiens eventually pulled Fowler for an additional attacker, setting up the tying sequence.

Suzuki ties game before late penalty

Montreal's persistence paid off at 18:22 of the third period when Suzuki scored from close range after a shot by Caufield created a loose puck near the Minnesota crease.

The puck deflected off Wallstedt and the goal frame before settling near the goal line, where Suzuki forced it into the net through traffic.

The goal tied the game 1-1 and appeared to shift momentum toward Montreal, which had generated sustained offensive pressure throughout much of the contest.

The Canadiens had an opportunity to complete the comeback, but a late penalty changed the circumstances.

Caufield was assessed a slashing penalty with 56 seconds remaining in regulation after contact with Quinn Hughes resulted in the Minnesota defenseman's stick breaking.

The call gave the Wild a power play that extended into overtime.

Minnesota did not score during the remaining regulation time, but the advantage became considerably more dangerous when the teams moved into the three-on-three overtime format.

With Montreal down a skater, the Wild opened overtime with a four-on-three power play.

Kaprizov needed only 21 seconds to finish the game.

His one-timer from the right circle beat Fowler and secured Minnesota's 13th victory.

The goal was Kaprizov's 15th career overtime winner, tying Caufield for the most in the NHL since Kaprizov entered the league during the 2020-21 season.

Kaprizov extends scoring streak

Kaprizov's winning goal extended his personal point streak to nine games, during which he has collected six goals and nine assists.

The Russian winger has 17 goals through Minnesota's first 20 games and remains the team's most dangerous offensive player.

His production has been particularly important during a period when injuries have forced coach John Hynes to adjust his lineup and distribute additional responsibilities throughout the roster.

Kaprizov's ability to finish scoring opportunities has also become a defining element of Minnesota's strong start.

Tuesday's goal required precise timing and execution. With the Wild operating on the power play, Kaprizov moved into shooting position and converted before Montreal could establish its defensive coverage.

The decisive play came after nearly 60 minutes in which neither team could consistently generate open scoring opportunities.

Kaprizov's finishing ability provided the difference.

The Wild have increasingly demonstrated that they can win games in different ways, whether through high-scoring performances or disciplined defensive efforts.

Tuesday's victory was an example of the latter.

Minnesota scored only once during regulation but received strong goaltending, protected the puck effectively and capitalized on its most important special-teams opportunity.

Defensive discipline provides encouraging response

The victory was particularly encouraging because Minnesota entered the game following a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Against the Lightning, the Wild surrendered a two-goal third-period lead and allowed three power-play goals, including the tying and winning scores.

Tuesday's performance represented a substantial improvement in defensive discipline.

Minnesota limited Montreal to one goal despite facing extended offensive-zone pressure and avoided the repeated penalties that contributed to the Tampa Bay defeat.

The Canadiens failed to score on either of their two power-play opportunities, while Minnesota converted the opportunity that mattered most.

The Wild also demonstrated an ability to withstand Montreal's pressure without abandoning their defensive structure.

Hughes and Jonas Brodin continued handling significant defensive responsibilities, while captain Jared Spurgeon returned to the lineup after missing time with a lower-body injury.

Spurgeon's presence provided another experienced option on the blue line, an important development as Minnesota continues managing its defensive depth.

Brock Faber, recovering from a fractured skull suffered during the preseason, has resumed practicing but has not yet made his regular-season debut.

His eventual return would provide additional reinforcement for a defense that has performed effectively despite significant personnel changes.

Wild carry momentum into Toronto

Minnesota's victory improved its road record to 8-3-2 and extended its road winning streak to six games.

The Wild have demonstrated an ability to win away from St. Paul through a combination of strong goaltending, timely scoring and effective defensive play.

Their next assignment comes Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have struggled through the opening portion of the season.

Toronto enters the matchup with an 8-10-2 record and will be attempting to improve its consistency against a Minnesota team that has earned points in nine consecutive games.

The Wild then travel to Boston for Saturday's game against the Bruins before returning home Tuesday, Nov. 17, against Nashville.

The upcoming schedule will continue testing Minnesota's depth, particularly while several established players work toward full health.

Wallstedt's performance against Montreal provides another reason for optimism.

The young goaltender has handled difficult assignments effectively and demonstrated that he can protect narrow leads against talented opponents.

Kaprizov continues producing at an elite offensive level, while Brink and other supporting forwards have supplied important contributions.

The Wild also have benefited from the offensive production of Hughes, whose puck movement and ability to create opportunities have strengthened Minnesota's transition game.

The combination has allowed Minnesota to remain among the Western Conference's leading teams through the first 20 games.

Tuesday's victory was not Minnesota's most explosive offensive performance, but it demonstrated an important quality for a team with postseason ambitions.

The Wild remained patient, defended effectively and found a way to win a close game against another strong opponent.

Their nine-game point streak now includes seven victories and two overtime losses, with the latest result providing another two standings points and additional momentum entering Thursday's matchup in Toronto.

Minnesota Wild upcoming schedule

All puck-drop times Central Standard Time

Minnesota has no game today. The Wild return to action Thursday against Toronto at Scotiabank Arena before completing their eastern road trip Saturday in Boston.