Kaprizov gives Wild OT win against Flames

ST. PAUL, Minn. --Kirill Kaprizov scored 44 seconds into overtime, and the Minnesota Wild moved into second place in the Central Division with a 3-2 overtime win against the Calgary Flames at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday.

Kaprizov won it when he scored on a one-timer from the top of the right circle on the power play for the Wild, who lead the St. Louis Blues by two points.
"These points were big for us tonight," Wild goalie Cam Talbot said. "It was a playoff-type atmosphere, and that's kind of what we needed after the last game (5-3 loss to Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday). Just a kick in the pants last game, and to have a playoff-like atmosphere tonight against one of the best teams in the West and a team we're going to have to go through in the playoffs, that's a confidence builder moving forward for sure."
Frederick Gaudreau had a goal and an assist, and Talbot made 31 saves for Minnesota (52-22-7), which is 9-1-2 in its past 12 games and will conclude its regular season against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.
"Our last two games of the season are really good challenges, of course, and like you said, it couldn't be better than playing those teams before we jump into the playoffs," Frederick Gaudreau said. "But I think our focus is just a game at a time really. And tonight, I think we kept that good focus. It was a shift at a time actually, and we did a good job, and now we'll try to do the same thing tomorrow."

Johnny Gaudreau scored his 40th goal of the season, and Jacob Markstrom made 22 saves for Calgary (50-20-11), which had won three straight.
"We had lots of opportunities to win," Flames coach Darryl Sutter said. "We got taken to the cleaners in the face-off circles. That cost us a couple goals."
Johnny Gaudreau gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 2:59 of the second period with a backhand near the right post after Matthew Tkachuk's centering pass hit the skate of Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin.
Johnny Gaudreau is the third player on his line to score at least 40 goals this season, joining Elias Lindholm (42) and Tkachuk (41).
"It's the way we've been playing all year," Johnny Gaudreau said. "I've been very fortunate to play with a lot of good players in my career, and these two are right up there.
"It was cool (to score the 40th). Unfortunately, it wasn't the outcome we wanted as a team."

Brodin tied it 1-1 at 6:02 of the second with a one-timer from the point on the power play.
Frederick Gaudreau put the Wild ahead 2-1 at 11:59 of the third period, capitalizing on a turnover in the offensive zone by shooting short side from the left circle.
Lindholm tied it 2-2 at 17:04.
"We talked before the game this team looks a lot like the team we're going to play in the playoffs (the St. Louis Blues)," Wild coach Dean Evason said. "They've got a lot of skill, they play right, they play hard. They're gritty, so it was a nice test to see how we played. Obviously, it's great to have this success because clearly we've got another one tomorrow and we've got an opportunity now to get to home ice, obviously. But it's nice to reinforce a lot of things that are playoff-type hockey."
NOTES:Johnny Gaudreau extended his point streak to seven games (six goals, eight assists). He became the 14th player in NHL history to score 90 even-strength points in a season. … Tkachuk extended his point streak to seven games (four goals, seven assists). … Minnesota was 2-for-2 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. … Evason said defensemen Jared Spurgeon (upper body) and Mathew Dumba (upper body) will play Friday. Forward Mats Zuccarello (lower body) will not but is probable for Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round.