Kiprizov sets rookie goal mark, Wild beat Coyotes 4-1

0

<p>GLENDALE, Ariz. &mdash; Kirill Kripizov scored a dazzling goal to break Minnesota’s rookie record, Cam Talbot stopped 39 shots and the Wild stretched their winning streak to five games with a 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>The Wild withstood a big initial flurry by Arizona and an early goal by Christian Dvorak in a tight-checking game. Kevin Fiala and Marcus Foligno each scored to put the Wild up, then Kiprizov deked Arizona goalie Darcy Kuemper out of the crease and scored on a wraparound. </p>
<p>It was Kiprizov’s 19th goal, breaking Marian Gaborik’s rookie record.</p>
<p>Talbot made some big saves down the stretch, and Nico Sturm added an empty-net goal to give Minnesota a 16-point cushion over the Coyotes for third in the West Division.</p>
<p>The Coyotes dominated early, but couldn’t get anything else past Talbot in losing for the seventh time in eight games. Kuemper stopped 18 shots for Arizona, which has a one-point lead over St. Louis for the West Division’s final playoff spot. </p>
<p>The Coyotes were in good playoff position less than a month ago, before six losses in five games allowed St. Louis to catch them.</p>
<p>Arizona missed an opportunity to build on its one-point lead over the Blues on Monday, losing 5-2 to the Wild.</p>
<p>The Coyotes swarmed the Wild early in Wednesday’s game, firing 11 of the first 12 shots. Dvorak scored at the end of a power-play flurry midway through the first period, banking in a rebound off the back of Talbot’s leg.</p>
<p>Arizona kept up the pressure, but couldn’t get anything past Talbot. Dryden Hunt also had a shot that hit the crossbar and post.</p>
<p>Fiala tied it early in the second period, one-timing a pass from Nico Sturm on a 2-on-1. Foligno opened the third period by getting a puck under Kuemper on a short breakaway.</p>
<p>Arizona turned up the pressure again late, but Kirprizov and Sturm put it out of reach.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Minnesota plays at the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.</p>
<p>Arizona kicks off a three-game trip Saturday against the Kings.</p>
<hr />
<p>More AP NHL: <a href="https://apnews.com/NHL">https://apnews.com/NHL</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a></p>

No posts to display