Rookie Kirill Kaprizov scores highlight-reel goal as Wild end Kings' winning streak

Kirill Kaprizov has been one of the biggest stories of the season for the Wild, whose fans have been watching videos of his flashy play since the team drafted him out of Russia in 2015. His highlight-reel goal that opened the scoring Friday should only add to the fans’ excitement.

With defenseman Drew Doughty hounding him as he worked behind the Kings net, Kaprizov gained control of the puck near the bottom of the left faceoff circle. His first shot was kicked aside by Quick at the left post, but the puck trickled behind the net, where Kaprizov picked it up.

Then, as Doughty dragged him to the ice, Kaprizov muscled his way around the other side of the net and tucked the puck inside the right post.

The 23-year-old left wing leads NHL rookies with 16 points.

“If he isn’t the top rookie in the league, he’s got to be one of the top two or three,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “This is game six or seven against him already and every night he’s gotten better.”

Nick Bjugstad doubled the Wild’s lead less than two minutes later after Quick misplayed a puck off the backboards. The carom rolled out to Bjugstad alone in the slot, and he buried a backhander for his 100th career goal.

Barely another minute had elapsed when Joel Eriksson Ek slammed home his own rebound for his team-leading seventh of the season and a 3-0 Wild lead.

The Wild held for a 3-1 win that extended their winning streak to five games and ended the Kings' streak at six wins.