Kaprizov’s goal not enough as Wild fall to Colorado
Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov, left, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Denver.[AP Photo/David Zalubowski]
The Minnesota Wild dropped the third of a four-game series with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in Denver, 2-1. Philipp Grubauer stopped 27 shots for Colorado.
With the Wild down 2-0 in the second period, Kirill Kaprizov scored on the power play for his third goal of the season. But they couldn’t get a game-tying goal, seeing Ryan Hartman denied on a breakaway in the third period.
Logan O’Connor and Valeri Nichushkin scored, and Cale Makar had an assist for the Avalanche, who have earned five of a possible six points in the third of four straight games against the Wild.
Cam Talbot had 29 saves for Minnesota. Colorado leading scorer and first-line center Nathan MacKinnon is out with a lower-body injury that will keep him sidelined week-to-week, the team said earlier Tuesday. MacKinnon was hurt Sunday against the Wild and the injury adds to an already long list of players who have been injured.
The Wild will get forward Kevin Fiala back from his three-game suspension when they wrap up this four game series vs. Colorado, Thursday night in Denver. The Wild are now 6-5.