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Kaprizov to record 2+ points (+143): Kaprizov returned on Jan. 23 after missing a month and has had two games to shake the rust off. Now the Minnesota Wild head to Chicago for a visit with the Blackhawks, whose defensive stats are an eyesore:

The superstar winger is up to 52 points (12 on the power play), 128 shots on net and a plus-19 rating over 37 appearances. Even with the lengthy absence, it's possible Kaprizov could push for a 100-point campaign if he returns to the level he played at early in 2024-25.

The Wild's Kirill Kaprizov is expected to play Thursday after a longer-than-expected break for injury. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Kaprizov registered an assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Flames. This was Kaprizov's second game back after missing 12 contests due to a lower-body injury. He's taken a little time to get back up to speed,

The move was necessary to make the call-ups needed to have a full roster. It's retroactive, so Kaprizov can return whenever he's ready.

The Minnesota Wild placed their top-scoring contributor on LTIR on Friday in Kirill Kaprizov because of an aggravated lower-body injury. Minnesota has been one of the NHL's biggest surprises in 2024-24, sitting in second place of the Central Division with 58 points.

The Minnesota Wild placed Kirill Kaprizov on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) on Thursday, retroactive to Dec. 23 when he suffered his injury. The move, while removing the Russian forward from the Wild lineup, will also help the team navigate a cap crunch and address its injury-plagued lineup thanks to the cap relief LTIR provides.

Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes said he is "cautiously optimistic" that star forward Kirill Kaprizov and captain Jared Spurgeon will return to the lineup against the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday.

The Minnesota Wild are trying to stay atop the West, a mission that will be easier if Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon return Thursday.

David’s come in and I think he’s really shown some of his very good attributes,” John Hynes said, with a nod to Jiricek’s imposing 6-foot-3 frame. “You can’t teach size.”