Even before Kirill Kaprizov single-handedly got the Wild back in the game Tuesday, he showed he was not going to be held back by the Blues.
It's too bad so few of his teammates followed suit in a disheartening 5-2 loss at Xcel Energy Center that allowed St. Louis to take a 3-2 lead in this best-of-seven series.
After Ryan O'Reilly put St. Louis ahead in the first period, Kaprizov slalomed into the left corner, where Blues players attempted to knock him off the puck. Wasn't happening. Kaprizov battled to hold possession despite being pushed into the boards. Then, out of nowhere, Kaprizov sent a no-look between-the-legs pass to Mats Zuccarello in the slot. Zuccarello's shot was blocked, but that moment told the Blues, the Wild and the 19,197 fans at Xcel Energy Center that Kid Kirill came to play Tuesday.
