Kirill Kaprizov was oozing praise for his linemate Joel Eriksson Ek, commending the Wild’s top center for handling faceoffs, playing at the front of the net and winning puck battles, before he put a lid on the compliments.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Kirill Kaprizov scored two goals for the second straight game, and the Minnesota Wild defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday.

The Wild stars put on another show on Thursday night in Game 3, as each recorded two points and helped chase Adin Hill from Vegas’ net by the start of the third period during a 5-2 victory that had fans inside Xcel Energy Center screaming, dancing and waving towels all night.