Wild's success under Hynes There has been some concern regarding Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov this season, who makes 12.5 million dollars in base salary this year with a cap hit of nine million and entered tonight on a six game skid with no goals and only two points. But tonight Kaprizov scored to tie the game at 2-2 in the third period and eventually got the game winner in overtime for his franchise leading seventh overtime goal in his career. It wasn't just Kaprizov who looked to come out of a funk tonight though. Marcus Johansson entered the game without a goal in his last 25 games but picked up his second of the year on the power play early in the game. Ryan Hartman also scored his ninth goal of the year and second in his last two games. Before yesterday's game the Wild announced they would be without Mats Zuccarello so Hartman slid up from the fourth line to the second line to replace Zuccarello and took advantage of that opportunity. So did Vinni Lettieri who entered the lineup yesterday and scored against the Penguins to tie it in the third period. Tonight he played another solid game but unfortunately left after blocking a Brad Marchand shot off the side of his left leg and did not return for the rest of the third period. But Lettieri did say he was okay according to Joe Smith of the Athletic on X [https://x.com/JoeSmithNHL/status/1737311258125251042?s=20]. After Lettieri blocked Marchand's shot, Kaprizov scored moments later to tie it and Hartman followed it up roughly two minutes later. The Bruins were able to tie it late in the third period after Alex Goligoski went to the box for high sticking with under three minutes left in the game. With the goalie pulled for the extra attacker, Marchand picked up a loose puck in front of the Wild's net tying the game at 3-3. Marchand's goal eventually forced overtime. Despite allowing three goals, Marc-Andre Fleury played outstanding tonight for the Wild and looked vintage like. In fact Hartman called it a "Hall of Fame performance." [https://x.com/JoeSmithNHL/status/1737306177036271660?s=20] After his 40 save night, Fleury picked up his 549th career win which is only two away from tying Patrick Roy for second all-time in NHL history. It was his 997th career game and was a much needed win for the Wild who are now only a couple of points out of a playoff spot. Tonight was a wonderful recipe. Despite not having Zuccarello, Jonas Brodin, and Jared Spurgeon, playing their third game in four days and squaring off against the NHL's best team in the league who hadn't played since Saturday, the Wild were able to defeat the Bruins in overtime with massive contributions from everyone on the team. Both Connor Dewar and Pat Maroon got in fights, Brock Faber played in his third game of his last four with over 30 minutes of ice time, and Jake Middleton played over 26 minutes and had an assist. It was a perfect team game and something the Wild will look to build upon as they continue to crawl back into the playoff picture. The best part of all this was Kaprizov picked up two much needed goals for his own confidence and looked a lot more like himself out there. The two time all-star looked to have that explosive stride he had last season but hasn't shown this year. That style of skating where he mohawks around defenders and of course he finished the night with seven shots and the game winner. A great game from the Wild's assistant captain and a game that might've gotten Kaprizov's mojo back. RELATED
