Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov’s assist to Matt Boldy in Game 2 of their first-round matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights helped his team even the series and drew stunned reactions from former NHL players.
At 9:56 of the first period, with the game still scoreless, Kaprizov floated a saucer pass from the left circle onto the stick of Boldy.
Boldy had no trouble finishing the breakaway to give the Wild an early 1-0 lead. The setup had former NHL players and current analysts scrambling for superlatives.
Kaprizov later added two goals. The first one was assisted by Boldy to make it 4-0 just under four minutes into the second period. The second one capped the final 5-2 win during an empty-net situation.
“Best pass of the playoffs by far,” P.K. Subban posted on X, along with a clip reacting live to the play.
“Kirill the Thrill just threw the most absurd saucer pass,” Paul Bissonnette wrote. ”Must have been six feet in the air.”
Ryan Whitney went even further, writing, “I see that sauce by Kaprizov the way some people see the Sistine Chapel or the Mona Lisa.”
Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Filip Gustavsson celebrate the 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Boldy didn’t disagree with the former NHLers posting their thoughts on X as he addressed the media during his post-game availability.
“That might have been the best pass I’ve ever seen,” Boldy said. “Like, I didn’t have to do much.
”He’s a special player, obviously. You see all the plays he makes, how hard he works, but for him to have the poise and to make that pass right on my tape, it was unbelievable.”
Wild head coach John Hynes credited Kaprizov (two goals, one assist) and Boldy (one goal, one assist) for their extraordinary performances on Tuesday’s win.
“They’re playing north and direct, they’re highly competitive on the puck,” Hynes said. “That’s what makes those guys good. When you’re highly talented guys like those two guys are and they’re committed to play the game that’s required to win, then they’re able to be big impacts.”
With the win, the Wild stole home-ice advantage from Vegas as the first-round series shifts to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4.
