If not for the presence of the Wild's charter bus, it's safe to say the Los Angeles Kings would happily volunteer to drive Kirill Kaprizov to LAX following Minnesota's 4-2 win at Staples Center on Friday night.
Anything to get the Wild's rookie forward the heck out of Tinsel Town.
Kaprizov finished off a masterful season against the Kings by scoring the game's opening goal, then adding a power-play goal in the second period.
Video: Dean Evason postgame at Los Angeles
"Shouldn't surprise any of us anymore, right?" Wild coach Dean Evason asked rhetorically. "He's just so creative, the way that he gains speed without moving his legs, is pretty special. He can do some special things and we've seen them all this year and look forward to seeing a lot more."
In eight games against L.A. this season, Kaprizov has lit the lamp six times - the second-most goals allowed to any rookie player in Kings franchise history.
And we're not talking about goals that have banked in off a defenseman's skate or backside either.
Video: MIN@LAK: Kaprizov scores an incredible opening goal
From his game-winning goal on a breakaway on Opening Night, to his two on Friday, Kaprizov has made a habit of scoring gorgeous goals, breaking the hearts of Los Angelenos everywhere.
Maybe a few Minnesotans too.
Somewhere in the north metro on Friday, a group of Andersons had to have shuddered just a little when Kaprizov undressed their son, Mikey, a Fridley native - and two-time national champion at the University of Minnesota Duluth - with a scintillating toe drag.
Beating goaltender Cal Petersen with a quick shot for a 1-0 lead was just the end of that highlight-reel play.
"That first goal," Wild forward Nick Bonino said, "that was pretty fun to watch."
"That's why I tend to stay off the ice for most of the optional practices," said Wild goaltender Cam Talbot. "He tends to go out there, so I don't have to face him and it keeps my confidence up. He's a special player and he can do so many different things with it."
With the game tied in the second, Kaprizov struck again, this time looking off Bonino then rifling a no-look shot over Petersen's glove to give the Wild a 2-1 lead, an advantage in the game it wouldn't relinquish.
Video: MIN@LAK: Kaprizov scores PPG for second goal of game
"That's what I was telling him, they were worried about me," Bonino said with a grin. "But you can see, he wants to pass it the whole way. Two guys get in between and the patience there, in the middle of the ice on the power play ... he's just a special player and it's fun being out there with him."
Kaprizov's 21 goals this season leads all rookies and is tied with Alex Barkov for 11th in the NHL overall. He's scored goals in four consecutive games, another first for a Wild rookie.
Feeling the heat from Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson in the race for the Calder Trophy, Kaprizov has turned in some of his best hockey as the focus on that race has become more competitive over the past week.
Robertson has more assists and a better plus/minus, but Kaprizov has decisive leads in goals and points as well as power-play goals.
He's also impressed teammates with the work he's put in elsewhere, including in the defensive zone and away from the puck.
Video: MIN@LAK: Sturm scores in 3rd period
"I'm sure I'm biased, but I think he's putting together a Calder season," Bonino said. "I think he's got the most goals and points and obviously he's a threat every time he's on the ice.
"He's patient, he's consistent. He battles, he plays defensively. He really does it all."
Kaprizov's highlight-reel tally in the first period also marked the fifth time he's scored the first goal of the game, a total that ranks him tied for sixth in the NHL.
So no, he's not filling boxscores with meaningless goals late in blowouts. Kaprizov is scoring goals early in games, he's scoring often and he's scoring them often in big spots.
Just ask the Los Angeles Kings.
"It's huge for our team," Talbot said. "Any time you can get up in a game early, we're a team that's pretty good at locking it down when we have the lead.
"He's a special player and he comes to play from the drop of the puck every night."
Related:
Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 4, Kings 2
Video: Kaprizov's two goals power Wild to sixth straight win
April 24, 2021 at 12:36PM
https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/postgame-kings-032321/c-323977264
Kaprizov's memorable season is one Los Angeles is ready to forget - BlueJackets.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=forget&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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