"We were just fooled": Caprice scored a double and was named the first star of the day in the NHL

Minnesota forward Kirill Kaprizov is slowly starting to score and work out his multi-million dollar contract.

Previously, he became the highest paid player on his team: he will earn $ 45 million in five years.

The Russian managed to achieve such a major deal with Wild thanks to a very successful debut season.

With 55 games, he became the first in the team in goals scored (27), points scored (51), average performance (0.93 points) and overtime goals (2).

According to the results of the Caprice Championship, he was recognized as the best newcomer in the league and received the Calder Trophy prize.

After such a season, everyone was waiting for the enchanting start of the new championship performed by the leader of Minnesota, but in the first meetings Kirill looked faded.

The forward could not score eight matches in a row.

This caused the indignation of foreign experts.

Many began to say that the forward was overvalued and the amount of the contract did not correspond to the Russian's game. 

Whims broke the silence in early November.

In the match against Ottawa, he scored the decisive goal in overtime, bringing victory to Minnesota.

And then Kirill gave a powerful spurt and scored 17 points in the last eight meetings.

In the home match with New Jersey, which his team won with a score of 5: 2, the Russian scored his first double of the season and was recognized as the first star of the NHL day, although in the match itself the actions of Kaprizov's teammate Ryan Hartman were rated higher.

In addition, Kirill scored three points per game for the fourth time this season.

In terms of the number of such matches, only Edmonton leaders Leon Dreiseitl (9) and Conor McDavid (6), as well as Washington forward Alexander Ovechkin (6), are ahead of him.

Kaprizov's first puck turned out to be especially effective.

The Russian outplayed the Devils defender Ryan Graves, and then left no chance for the rival goalkeeper Mackenzie Blackwood.

After the match, New Jersey head coach Lindy Rough wondered how Kaprizov did such a trick.

“Today we were just fooled!

What is the first goal conceded?

Without a doubt, Minnesota have earned a well-deserved victory.

Our defense had a difficult evening.

Perhaps the hardest of all that I have seen.

Of course, we can play better, ”the expert lamented, quoted by the official website of the NHL. 

Kirill scored the second goal in one touch after Mats Zuccarello's pass.

And then he himself acted as an assistant.

The Russian struck hard from a distance.

The New Jersey goalkeeper coped with the throw, but the puck bounced on the patch, where the Wild defender Dmitry Kulikov was the first to finish.

After the game, the Russian noted that the entire attacking troika of Zuccarello-Hartman-Whims acted perfectly in the match.

“In previous meetings, they were also very helpful.

In our country, each link is trying to create dangerous moments.

We try to play with the whole five.

However, I agree that their troika had a special meeting, they created a lot of dangerous moments, ”said Kulikov.

In the middle of the game, the Devils tried to cling to intrigue, but Minnesota were too good to give up such a match.

After the meeting, discussing his results in recent meetings, Kaprizov admitted that he had not deliberately tried to change anything.

“I just tried and kept playing hockey.

I acted as I can.

Now it has begun to work out a little bit.

It's great when you manage to help the team.

Naturally, it is easier for you to perform when you score and gain points, there are fewer clamps in your actions, ”the forward noted.

Three points in the match against New Jersey helped the Russian to score 28 (9 + 19) points and climb to fifth place in the league top scorers dispute, which Kirill shares with Yevgeny Kuznetsov from the Capitals, as well as Florida striker Jonathan Huberdeau.

Dreisitel holds the first position (20 + 21).

Wild head coach Dean Evason is pleased with the Russian's performance against the Devils.

The specialist emphasized the high speed that Caprice shows.

“He has very fast legs, he is great at walking away from rivals.

Now Kirill is showing an incredible pace.

It is difficult to defend against him, because he quickly changes direction.

Stopping him is a daunting task for any team.

All three looked amazing today.

At the same time, they did not relax, were not late for defense and, on the whole, played correctly, creating a huge number of dangerous moments, ”the mentor said. 

The Wild team led the team to a fifth consecutive win to come out on top in the Western Conference, which the club shares with Calgary.

Minnesota's home streak will end this weekend with Toronto.