Kaprizov nets OT power-play winner as Wild beat Canadiens 2-1 at Bell Centre

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

The Minnesota Wild stayed hot on the road, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in overtime at Bell Centre on Tuesday as Kirill Kaprizov scored 21 seconds into the extra frame on the power play. The goal came during a 4-on-3 advantage after Cole Caufield was penalized for slashing at 19:04 of the third period, giving Minnesota the opening it needed to finish the game quickly in OT.

Minnesota struck first in the third period when Bobby Brink scored unassisted at 2:53 on a breakaway. Brink won possession after stealing the puck from Josh Anderson and then drove in alone from his own blue line before firing a wrist shot past Montreal goaltender Jacob Fowler.

The Canadiens responded to tie the game at 1-1 with 1:38 remaining in the third. Nick Suzuki completed the equalizer by knocking the puck inside the left post after redirecting or placing it through the crease area, setting the stage for overtime after regulation ended deadlocked.

Following Suzuki’s tying goal, the Canadiens nearly made history of their own earlier in the game. Alex Newhook appeared to score on a power play at 7:33 of the first period, but the play was overturned after a video review initiated by the NHL Situation Room found the puck never crossed the goal line when Newhook’s shot struck the crossbar and post.

In goal, Jesper Wallstedt recorded 27 saves for the Wild. Minnesota improved to a 13-3-4 record and moved to a 7-0-2 run during its current point streak, which now stands at nine games.

Montreal countered with Jacob Fowler, who made 22 saves. The Canadiens, now at 11-3-4, extended their own point streak to 11 games thanks to the overtime result, continuing a stretch that included momentum even after a loss.

The game featured Fowler’s continued early-season form. NHL.com notes Fowler was named NHL Rookie of the Month in October and entered Tuesday with a record of 8-0-1 in his previous nine games, following a 5-2 loss against the Nashville Predators in his season debut on Oct. 8.

Beyond the scoreboard, the Canadiens marked a significant hockey milestone before puck drop. Montreal held a pregame ceremony honoring former goalie Carey Price’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Shea Weber added Price’s name to the team’s Ring of Honor as part of the event.