Kaprizov plays OT hero, again, for Wild

The simple laws of mathematics and probability dictate that at some point this season, Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen was going to lose a road game. Off to the best start in franchise history, it makes some mathematical sense that the Minnesota Wild would be the first team to hand the goalie a road loss.

In their only trip to Minnesota this season, the Canucks held leads in every period, only to see the Wild refuse to go quietly. Kirill Kaprizov scored in overtime as Minnesota won its fourth in a row with a 3-2 victory, dropping Lankinen’s road record to 10-0-1 this season, despite a valiant 26-save effort by the Vancouver goalie.

Freddie Gaudreau and Jake Middleton scored second- and third-period goals, respectively, for the Wild, who improved to 7-3-1 at Xcel Energy Center this season, on the eve of a three-game road trip

Filip Gustavsson had 31 saves for Minnesota, which didn’t lead until the final horn.

Trailing 1-0 nearing the midway point of the game, Minnesota finally found the equalizer when Gaudreau ended a 3-on-1 rush, using Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers as a screen, then snapping a wrist shot past Lankinen.

But Minnesota got caught in some defensive disarray in the final minute of the second, giving up a goal by Jake DeBrusk, who was camped at the top of the crease.

After Middleton threaded a shot through a crowd to tie the game again early in the third, the Wild got to overtime, where they dominated the play.

The Wild were in attack mode from the opening faceoff, recording seven of the game’s first eight shots on goal and keeping Lankinen busy. Minnesota defenseman Jon Merrill was whistled for what appeared to be an inadvertent trip, and the Canucks capitalized on the power play.

Vancouver star defenseman Quinn Hughes was credited with the goal, which was the first of his career versus Minnesota, although he has been a nemesis of Twin Cities teams going back to the two seasons Hughes spent on the University of Michigan blue line.

The Wild got just one power play in the game, but probably deserved another. Myers cross-checked forward Joel Eriksson Ek in the ribs with eight minutes to play in regulation, with no whistle from the on-ice officials, drawing a chorus of boos from the audience.

After being thwarted by Lankinen on an overtime breakaway, Eriksson Ek limped off the ice and down the tunnel favoring his left leg.

Tuesday marked the 600th career game for Wild forward Ryan Hartman, who began his career a decade ago with the Chicago Blackhawks. His NHL resume includes 141 games in Chicago, 85 in Nashville, 19 in Philadelphia and now 355 games with Minnesota.

The Wild head west for their next three, with games at Anaheim on Friday, at Los Angeles on Saturday and at Utah on Tuesday.