National Hockey League
Minnesota 4, Arizona 1
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Referees: Tom Chmielewski, Jon McIsaac
Linesmen: Scott Cherrey, Brandon Gawryletz
Attendance: 18231

Kirill Kaprizov had two goals and one assist as the Minnesota Wild pulled away for a 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night in Saint Paul, Minn.

Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno also scored for Minnesota, which extended its point streak to five games (4-0-1).

Nick Bjugstad scored the lone goal for Arizona. Michael Carcone and Michael Kesselring finished with one assist apiece for the Coyotes, who have lost four of their past five games.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 21 of 22 shots to earn the victory for Minnesota. It marked Fleury's 559th win of his career, which trails only Martin Brodeur (691) for the all-time lead.

Karel Vejmelka took the loss despite stopping 27 of 29 shots for the Coyotes.

Minnesota opened the scoring with 13:31 to go in the first period. Kaprizov handled the puck at the top of the left circle and fired a wrist shot through traffic and into the net.

The Coyotes pulled even at 1-1 with 11:52 remaining in the second period. Bjugstad scored his 16th goal on a rising wrist shot from the right corner.

Bjugstad smiled and banged the plexiglass behind the net as he celebrated the goal in his native state. The play carried extra meaning for the 31-year-old, who was born in Blaine, Minn., and played collegiately for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Wild grabbed a 2-1 lead with 1:44 to play in the second period. Kaprizov slid a pass to Hartman, who punched in a shot from the right side of the crease for his 17th goal.

Minnesota made it 3-1 on Kaprizov's second goal of the game and his team-leading 33rd goal of the season. It came with an empty net and 2:32 remaining.

Foligno followed with another empty-net goal to finish the scoring with 2:05 remaining. It marked Foligno's 10th goal of the season and his third in the past seven games.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Arizona   Minnesota
Nick Bjugstad 1 Points Kirill Kaprizov 3
Nick Bjugstad 1 Goals Kirill Kaprizov 2
Michael Carcone 1 Assists Kirill Kaprizov 1
N/A Power Play Goals Ryan Hartman 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Karel Vejmelka .931 Save Percentage Marc-Andre Fleury .957
Karel Vejmelka 27 Saves Marc-Andre Fleury 22
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Arizona 23 1 0-2 3-4 8 23
Minnesota 31 4 1-4 2-2 4 38
Upcoming Games
  • Minnesota will play their next game at home against Anaheim. The Wild have a W/L % of .562 after a win and .412 after a loss.
  • Arizona will play their next game on the road against Detroit. The Coyotes have a W/L % of .444 after a win and .359 after a loss.