Kaprizov posts hat trick as Minnesota Wild beat Florida Panthers 4-1 at Amerant Bank Arena

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

SUNRISE, Fla. — Kirill Kaprizov delivered a hat trick and an assist as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Florida Panthers 4-1 at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday, snapping the Panthers’ season start momentum while helping the Wild bounce back after two straight losses.

Minnesota improved to a 3-1-1 record with the victory. Matt Boldy also had a goal and an assist, and Jesper Wallstedt made 29 saves for the Wild in the win.

For Florida, Matthew Tkachuk scored in the second period, and Jacob Markstrom stopped 25 shots. The Panthers dropped to 2-1-2 and saw their season-opening four-game point streak end, with the setback also bringing an end to their seven-game home opener winning run.

Boldy gave Minnesota a fast start, scoring 53 seconds into the first period. With Florida making a change, Boldy entered the offensive zone with space and finished a wrist shot from the top of the slot past Markstrom to make it 1-0.

Kaprizov then extended the Wild’s lead on the power play at 6:18 of the first period. He scored on a one-timer from the right face-off circle, the goal coming after Kaprizov registered the secondary assist on Boldy’s earlier score.

Tkachuk pulled Florida closer at 2:18 of the second period. He put a loose puck into the side of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Minnesota responded later in the second when Kaprizov restored a two-goal advantage at 5:00. He scored with a wrist shot from the right circle off a cross-ice feed from Boldy, pushing the game to 3-1.

Kaprizov completed his hat trick by finishing into an empty net with 1:04 remaining in regulation to set the final score at 4-1.

Special teams were a key storyline for Florida. The Panthers went 0-for-5 on the power play and are 1-for-28 this season.