Kirill Kaprizov scored two goals as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 on October 3, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The win improved the Wild to a 2-0 record this season, while Boston dropped its first game.
Boston opened the scoring 1:53 into the first period when Tanner Jeannot converted a pass from Mark Kastelic.
Minnesota responded in the second period with consecutive power-play goals from Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes.
Jared Spurgeon and Kaprizov then added third-period tallies to seal the victory.
Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt stopped 25 consecutive shots after allowing the early goal.
Kaprizov, who has three goals through the first two games following the offseason departure of long-time linemate Mats Zuccarello, spoke about adapting to his evolving offensive role on the top line alongside newcomer Maxim Shabanov.
"Maybe I play more aggressively," said Kaprizov.
Special Teams Swing the Game
Bruins head coach Marco Sturm pointed to special teams as the difference after Boston failed to capitalize on three power-play opportunities and surrendered two power-play goals.
"We lose the face off and all of a sudden it’s in your net. It feels like it’s almost like [the kill was] for nothing, right?
So yeah, special teams probably was the difference today, both ways," said Sturm.
Sturm also addressed his decision to reinsert Elias Lindholm onto the top power-play unit during the contest.
"We thought about it even this morning. It’s just we need our power play.
We need [Lindholm] again. And these guys [have] been together for a while.
With that short training camp, that was not much time we feel like. So, we want to give him a little bit of comfort.
Guys should know each other and that’s why we changed it," said Sturm.
Additionally, Sturm detailed his decision to move Fraser Minten to the top center spot in place of Lindholm late in the game.
"Just looking for something.
We kind of got stuck a little bit after they scored and I was just shortening the bench a little bit and try to get something out of it," said Sturm.
Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton evaluated his third-period penalty that led to the deciding power-play sequence for Minnesota.
"We dominated the first, got away from it. And second, they took it to us, put us on our heels, a couple penalties.
Obviously that penalty I took. Unfortunately, I’m trying to make a play on the puck.
I feel like I get tripped and I trip him up, obviously a penalty, so that’s pretty unfortunate," said Clifton.
Boston goaltender Michael DiPietro made his first NHL start since January 2022, turning aside 26 of 29 shots in the defeat.
"Obviously not the outcome that I wanted and I own that. I just got to be better and continue to work and obviously try my best.
So yeah, obviously this stings. Never want to give up the first loss for the team for the season.
So, obviously I’m going to wear it, but yeah, just want to improve, get better for them and hopefully be better next time," said DiPietro.
Forward David Pastrnak reflected on Boston's offensive approach after falling behind in the middle frame.
"We can start with me, I guess. I definitely want to be more direct, shoot more pucks.
Overall, we’re not creating enough to give [pucks] away.
So, once we get there [in the offensive end], we should obviously be more direct and shoot the puck more," said Pastrnak.
Pastrnak also noted the challenge of defending against Hughes along the blue line.
"He’s a very offensive defenseman, so he creates a lot for them and you’re going to respect him.
They are a four or sometimes even five-man attack all the time. They move around and they’re good skaters, so they can recover well.
But we definitely didn’t take enough advantage of how aggressive they were. Should have created more offensively with the way they’re aggressive in the O-zone," said Pastrnak.
Ruff Discusses Facing Hughes, Foligno Legacy
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff spoke ahead of Buffalo's matchup against Minnesota regarding the defensive strategy required against elite defensemen like Hughes.
"You’ve got to contain them, and it’s hard. But if you make the mistake of running at him, he can make you look pretty bad.
We know he’s going to get some opportunities. We’ve just got to limit those opportunities," said Ruff.
Ruff elaborated on how offensive defensemen have transformed tactical approaches across the league.
"I look at a lot of teams, and a lot of the offense is stemming from those one or two guys that help provide, whether it’s a fourth man on the rush, whether it’s a guy that can handle a puck up top in tight areas and make that play," said Ruff.
Ruff also reflected on the Foligno family, having played alongside former Sabres captain Mike Foligno and later coaching Marcus Foligno in Buffalo.
"those two guys (get) to come back and play in the (city) where their dad played a good part of his career.
Just a great hockey family. Mom and Dad were big hockey people, and the children are just great.
They’re great kids. They’re good athletes," said Ruff.
Ruff recalled Marcus Foligno's arrival and progression during his early tenure with the Sabres.
"He played really well. Big body.
He got around the front of the net. He got rewarded for being around the front of the net.
He was physical," said Ruff.
Ruff noted how Marcus adapted physically following his debut season.
"I think he probably got too strong too quick, and he had to kind of lean out a little bit," said Ruff.
Ruff shared memories of Mike Foligno's playing style and leadership.
"Mike was a hell of a teammate.
His excitement for the game and how he played the game was something that any young player could look at and say, ‘I want to play as hard as this guy played.’"
said Ruff.
The Minnesota Wild continue their regular-season schedule with a road trip through Florida to face the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.
