NHL roundup: Kirill Kaprizov hat-trick guides Minnesota Wild past San Jose Sharks

Kirill Kaprizov, aged 26, scored three goals to secure a hat-trick, including the game-winning goal with 3:59 left in the third period, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 4-3 victory against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Kaprizov has achieved five hat-tricks throughout his career, with two of them occurring in the previous two weeks. Minnesota's Frederick Gaudreau also contributed a goal, helping the team end a three-game winless streak. Additionally, Matt Boldy provided two assists.

On the other side, Mikael Granlund, Nico Sturm, and Anthony Duclair each scored a goal for San Jose. Unfortunately, the Sharks have struggled recently, losing their past seven games and falling to a record of 0-6-1. Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson made 12 saves out of 15 shots, improving his record to 17-15-3.

Despite a strong performance by Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen, who stopped 28 out of 32 shots, he fell to a record of 6-20-2. It was Kahkonen's first game against the Wild since being traded to San Jose on March 21, 2022, along with a fifth-round draft pick, in exchange for defenseman Jacob Middleton.

In the game between the Jets and the Sabres, Morgan Barron scored the decisive goal with 6:05 remaining in regulation, leading Winnipeg to a comeback victory with a four-goal third period. This impressive performance followed their previous game where they scored five unanswered goals in the third period to secure a 5-3 win against Carolina. Barron's goal, a powerful wrist shot, gave the Jets the lead for the first time just before the six-minute mark.

Winnipeg's goaltender, Laurent Brossoit, made 17 saves, contributing to their victory. The Jets have been in excellent form, winning nine out of their past 11 games. Buffalo's JJ Peterka scored his 20th goal of the season, and Eric Robinson also found the back of the net. Despite their recent success, the Sabres' winning streak was halted after winning two consecutive games and five out of their past six.

Kings 5, Devils 1
Phillip Danault achieved his second career hat-trick and scored his first goals on home ice this season as Los Angeles triumphed over an early deficit and easily defeated New Jersey.

Danault, who hadn't scored at home since March 6, 2023, managed to tie the game in the first period and then struck again in the second before sealing the victory with an empty-net goal with 2:13 remaining in regulation. The Kings also received goals from Alex Laferriere and Kevin Fiala, contributing to their success under interim coach Jim Hillier with a record of 8-4-0.

Despite allowing a goal just 15 seconds into the game by Timo Meier, Los Angeles goaltender Cam Talbot bounced back and made 30 saves. Meier's goal, which was the second-fastest in the NHL this season, wasn't enough for the Devils as they suffered their fifth loss in seven games.