Kirill Kaprizov stepping up as Wild take aim at Flyers
Many teams in the NHL might need to choose between goal scoring from their top stars or from their depth players.
The Minnesota Wild have enjoyed both heading into their game on Thursdayt against the Philadelphia Flyers in Saint Paul, Minn.
"It's nice that some of the guys that we're expecting to score are continuing to do that and play well," Wild coach John Hynes said. "But it also takes a little bit of the load off them when you have guys that can score and produce. It makes you a harder team to defend."
The Flyers are vying for two wins in as many nights after knocking off the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Wednesday in Philadelphia. Owen Tippett notched a goal and an assist for the Flyers, and Travis Konecny, Trevor Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale each scored one goal.
Philadelphia is 5-2-0 in its past seven games as it aims for a postseason run. The Flyers are seven points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
The Wild also have their hopes pinned on the playoffs and are in third place in the Central Division. Minnesota is 3-0-1 in its past four contests and has a 12-3-2 record in its past 17.
Kirill Kaprizov has led the way for Minnesota. He has 78 points (37 goals, 41 assists) in 65 games this season, and he leads the team with 16 goals on the power play.
Hynes said Kaprizov is playing as well as he has all season. He praised his star after the Wild's 5-0 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday night, during which Kaprizov finished with a goal and an assist.
"Kirill, he was physical, playing with power," Hynes said. "He's such a skilled player, but when he plays a power game, when he's tenacious like a dog with a bone, that's when you really stand out. I think that goal (he scored against Utah) was indicative of that."
On the opposite bench, Konecny leads Philadelphia in goals (24), assists (34) and points (58). Zegras is second on the team in all three categories (22, 31, 53).
The Flyers likely will start Dan Vladar in net one night after Samuel Ersson made the start against the Capitals. Vladar is 20-11-6 with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage this season, and he is 3-1-1 with a 2.63 GAA and an .896 save percentage in five career games against the Wild.
Vladar will try to bounce back from a rough performance Monday against the New York Rangers, who scored six goals against him on 24 shots.
Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said he gave Vladar an extra day of rest Wednesday after his difficult performance earlier in the week.
"He might have been a little bit tired," Tocchet said. "You know he'll never admit it. We have to be cautious of that."
Minnesota could counter with Filip Gustavsson or Jesper Wallstedt in net.
Gustavsson is 24-10-6 with a 2.46 GAA and a .913 save percentage this season, and he is 0-2-0 with a 6.09 GAA and a .709 save percentage against Philadelphia.
Wallstedt is 14-6-5 with a 2.81 GAA and a .911 save percentage this season, and he is 0-0-1 with a 1.92 GAA and a .905 save percentage in his lone start versus the Flyers.