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Minnesota Wild Sweep San Jose and Kaprizov ties Franchise Rookie Record

By Trevor Mitchell Wyatt

Jan 24, 2021; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov (97) carries the puck during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2021; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov (97) carries the puck during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kirill Kaprizov is one point away from cementing himself as the greatest Minnesota Wild rookie of all time after picking up a goal in the Wild’s 5-2 win against the San Jose Sharks.

Goals were also scored by Joel Erikkson Ek, Zach Parise, Nico Sturm, and Matz Zuccarello. Kaapo Kähkönen played well in the crease tonight, stopping 26 of 28 shots for a .928 sv%. With the win, the Wild brought their record to 27-13-3 on the season, putting them third in the West Division behind the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Nights.

Kaprizov’s goal was his 17th of the year and added to his 19 assists, giving him 36 points through 43 games.  This ties him with Marian Gaborik’s single-season rookie record for points and puts him one away from Gaborik’s rookie goal record of 18. Both of Gaborik’s records happened in the Wild’s inaugural season during 2000-2001.

The goal also further helps build Kirill Kaprizov’s place as the Calder Trophy winner for the 2021 season. If/when he wins the coveted rookie of the year award, he will be the first member of the Minnesota Wild franchise to win the award and the first in the State of Hockey to win since Bobby Smith took home the hardware in the 1978-1979 season for the Minnesota North Stars.

With 13 games left in the Wild’s shortened 56-game season, you can bet on two things happening at the finish of the regular season: The Minnesota Wild making their second consecutive playoff run (counting the expanded play-in round) and Kirill Kaprizov being the sole owner of nearly every Wild rookie record- likely with a nice silver trophy with his name etched on it to boot.

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