Minnesota Wild's Kirill Kaprizov Named NHL's Third Star Of The Week

Kirill Kaprizov has had a dominant start to the 2026-27 season, and the NHL is acknowledging his brilliance.

After a four-goal, seven-point week in four games, Kaprizov was named the NHL's third star of the week. The 29-year-old is playing at an MVP level and has arguably been the best player on the ice each night.

With Kaprizov's dominant week, he became the first player in the NHL to reach 10 goals, doing so in nine games. In the process, Kaprizov became the sixth active player to reach 10 goals in nine games or fewer, joining Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, David Pastrnak, Sidney Crosby, and Nikita Kucherov. 

He also became the fastest player in Wild franchise history to do so, beating Brian Rolston, who did so in 12 games during the 2006-07 season.

Kaprizov leads the NHL in goals and ranks fifth in points. He's led the Wild to first place in the Central Division.

Joining Kaprizov as stars of the week were Florida Panthers' Brady Tkachuk (first star) and Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (second star). 

Here's what the NHL's press release had to say about Kaprizov's week:

"Kaprizov registered 4-3—7 in four games to lift the Wild (6-2-1, 13 points) to a 3-1-0 week and into first place in the Central Division. He picked up one assist in a 4-2 win versus the Vegas Golden Knights Oct. 12, followed by a pair of goals in a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Oct. 13. Kaprizov then collected 1-2—3 in a 5-4 triumph over the St. Louis Blues Oct. 15 before closing the week with his 36th career game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets Oct. 18. The 29-year-old Kaprizov, the first player in franchise history to be the first in the League with a double-digit goal total in a given season, leads the NHL with 10 goals and sits fifth with 15 points through nine contests in 2026-27 (10-5—15)."

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