BOSTON – In a nail-biting encounter at TD Garden, the Minnesota Wild snatched a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins, thanks to a sensational overtime goal by Kirill Kaprizov on Tuesday night.
Kaprizov, shining in the clutch moment, finalized a 3-on-1 rush with a precision one-timer from the right face-off circle, sealing a hard-fought win for the Wild. The game, featuring fluctuating fortunes, saw Minnesota rally with two goals within a span of 1:58 in the third period, only for Bruins captain Brad Marchand to force overtime with a power-play equalizer at 18:54.
Reflecting on the game, Kaprizov expressed his elation, highlighting the significance of defeating a top-tier team like Boston. “To get a win against them is unbelievable,” he said, emphasizing the momentum this victory brings to the Wild.
Minnesota’s resilience was evident as Ryan Hartman and Marcus Johansson also found the net, complemented by Marc-Andre Fleury’s impressive 40 saves. Wild coach John Hynes described the game as a “heavyweight fight,” praising both teams’ physicality and goaltending.
Despite David Pastrnak’s outstanding performance, scoring twice for Boston, and Linus Ullmark’s 26 saves, the Bruins couldn’t clinch the win. Pastrnak remained optimistic, acknowledging the high level of competition and Fleury’s role in thwarting his attempts to end the game.
The Wild grabbed the lead with Johansson’s power-play goal in the first period, but Pastrnak’s double strikes kept the Bruins ahead until the end of the first. Kaprizov’s equalizer in the third, followed by Hartman’s go-ahead goal, set the stage for an intense finish.
Overtime saw opportunities for both sides, with Ullmark denying Matt Boldy’s breakaway attempt and Charlie Coyle testing Fleury. The game concluded with Kaprizov’s decisive goal, an emblem of Minnesota’s determination.
In post-match comments, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery pointed out areas needing improvement, specifically in defensive execution, while Hartman praised his team’s trust and competitive spirit.
Notable Highlights:
- Wild forward Vinni Lettieri left the game in the third period due to injury.
- Kaprizov’s winning goal marked his seventh career overtime goal, a franchise record.
- Marchand’s game-tying goal elevated him past Bobby Orr to sixth in Bruins’ all-time points.
The Wild’s victory, especially over a formidable opponent like the Bruins, underlines their growing confidence and capability as they aim to build on this momentum.
