Wild top Coyotes to apply more pressure in West wild card race
Another step in the right direction for the Minnesota Wild (32-27-7) Tuesday night as they defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 in St. Paul to move within four points of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference playoff race.
Kirill Kaprizov's goal about six-and-a-half minutes into the first period was his 12th in the last 12 games and gave the Wild a 1-0 lead, and he added another on an empty net late in the third period to give him a team-best 33 goals this season.
Nick Bjugstad tied the game 1-1 at 8:08 of the second period but Minnesota reclaimed the lead when Ryan Hartman found the back of the net on a power play after Arizona's Michael Kesselring was called for cross-checking Marco Rossi at 16:40 of the period.
Marcus Foligno added a second empty-net goal for Minnesota with 2:05 to play.
The win has the Wild (71 points) within four points of Vegas (75) for the last playoff spot in the West but Vegas was still in action against the Seattle Kraken when this story was published.
Mar 12, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) celebrates his goal against the Arizona Coyotes in the first period at Xcel Energy Center.
Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
