Kaprizov Scores Into Empty Net in Wild Win
Minnesota's forward added his 15th goal of the season as the Wild beat Washington 5-1 in Ovechkin's final road game against the Wild.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Hockey
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Kirill Kaprizov scored his 15th goal, an empty-netter, as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Washington Capitals 5-1. Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt stopped 26 shots, while Alex Ovechkin was held to two shots in the game.
Why it matters
Kaprizov's 14 goals in the Wild's first 15 games placed him among the league's leading scorers, and the NHL named him its second star for October. The game also marked a farewell stop for Ovechkin, who announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Kaprizov reached his 500th career point with the goal, while Wallstedt made 26 saves in the win. Ovechkin's retirement at season's end is confirmed, but the extraction does not detail his remaining statistical targets.
The players
Kirill Kaprizov
Kaprizov is a Minnesota Wild forward who reached his 500th career point with the goal.
Alex Ovechkin
Ovechkin is a Washington Capitals forward who holds the NHL career goals record with 930.
Jesper Wallstedt
Wallstedt is a Minnesota Wild goaltender who stopped 26 shots in the game.
The details
Kaprizov's empty-net goal sealed the Wild's 5-1 victory over Washington on Sunday. The game was Kaprizov's final road appearance against Ovechkin, who was held to two shots.
Timeline
Since 2022: Russian athletes and teams have been banned from most international competitions following the invasion of Ukraine.
October: The NHL named Kaprizov its second star of the month.
Sunday, Nov. 1: The Wild defeated the Capitals 5-1 in Washington.
End of current season: Ovechkin's retirement takes effect.
Season Trajectory
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the IIHF must immediately allow Russian teams into tournaments such as the World Juniors, reversing the blanket bans imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The IIHF said it will comply while pushing back on the decision, and the ruling does not affect the Olympic Games.
Kaprizov's 14 goals in 15 games make him a central piece of fantasy rosters this season. Ovechkin's final scheduled stops against Minnesota and other rivals will be the last chance for fans to see him play on the road before he retires.
The takeaway
Kaprizov's scoring pace and the CAS ruling on Russian teams show how quickly the hockey landscape can shift in a single season. Fans tracking player stats or international competition should watch the IIHF's compliance steps closely.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Twin Cities.
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