ST. PAUL, Minn. – Kirill Kaprizov scored his NHL-leading 10th goal to break a second-period deadlock, and Jesper Wallstedt made 13 saves as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Sunday night.
Danila Yurov also found the net for Minnesota, which leads the Central Division and improved to 6-2-1.
Adam Fantilli scored for Columbus, while Cam Talbot finished with 32 saves.
Kaprizov put the Wild ahead for good with a power-play goal at 3:06 of the second period. From the bottom of the left faceoff circle, he lifted a shot over Talbot’s shoulder.
The goaltenders set the tone early. Wallstedt stopped Connor Garland on a breakaway two minutes into the game, and Talbot later made three saves during Columbus’ successful kill of a 1:52-long 5-on-3 power play.
Minnesota opened the scoring late in the first period after Yakov Trenin collected a turnover near the Columbus blue line. Trenin beat a defender on his way to the net before sending a soft pass across the slot to Yurov, who tapped it in.
The Blue Jackets pulled even one minute later during a delayed penalty. Fantilli sent a slap shot through traffic and past Wallstedt.
Up next
Blue Jackets: Host Toronto on Tuesday night.
Wild: Visit Edmonton on Tuesday night to begin a five-game road trip.
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