Generational superstar. MVP candidate. Filthy mitts. Sick dangles. Whatever hockey euphemism or adjectives you want to use to describe Kirill Kaprizov doesn’t seem to do his skill and impact justice. I learned 2 things this weekend while watching the Wild play:
- They cannot keep a lead.
- Kirill Kaprizov is NASTY in the shootout. According to Hockey Reference, Kaprizov is now 6 for 11 in his short career in the shootout. I was stunned to learn that he has only taken 11 shots in 3 years. So I decided to rank his best shootout goals so far.
#6 vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Kaprizov shoots at the 2:13 mark of the video. What looks like such a simple play is so hard at that speed. He lifts the puck so effortlessly. While doing research on this blog you will start to see a pattern with his attempts. It looks as though everything is the same with his coming down the ice and then deciding what to do once he hits the circles.
#5 vs San Jose Sharks
#4 vs Dallas Stars
Slight backhand tease, then flip it top left. So easy. Also, a full “LOL” and the size of Zuccarello’s stick. It might be twice his size.
#3 vs Toronto Maple Leafs
#2 vs Anaheim Ducks
The play-by-play guys stole my analysis. We haven’t seen this move yet and his skating/edge work is unreal. He holds the backhand fake longer than he ever has and the goalie’s brain must be spinning. Is he really going to hold it that long and go backhand? Maybe he is going to hold the backhand and then flip it top shelf? Or is he maybe going to go 5-hole? Sucks to be a goalie when Kirill is coming down on you 1 V 1.
#1 vs Chicago Blackhawks
This is the best one and it’s not close. Looks like he’s going backhand top shelf. But, like all his other attempts he coolly slides it 5 hole. That must be so demoralizing for the goalie, but it’s Chicago so who cares.

29yo, 2 kids, former place kicker for the worst high school football team in Minnesota history. 2/2 xp, 0/2 field goals, led the state in total punts.