Kaprizov ready to 'break through' in must-win Game 6

Superstar Kirill Kaprizov is determined to make an impact after an uncharacteristically poor start to the Minnesota Wild's first-round series against the Dallas Stars.

Kaprizov scored in Game 1 but hasn't found the scoresheet since despite averaging more than 23 minutes per contest. He knows it's now or never with the Wild trailing 3-2 in the series.

"Obviously, it's a bit frustrating, but I'm confident this next game I should break through and be able to help out the team and do more on my end," Kaprizov said, according to NHL.com's Tracey Myers.

He added, "I think there's definitely some responsibility on my end to play better. Of course, I feel that. ... But it's not something I want to dwell on and it's not something I want to think about. It's not going to make it better."

Kaprizov was limited to 67 regular-season games due to injury but still led Minnesota with 40 goals and 75 points. He's previously shown he can produce in the postseason, bagging seven goals in the Wild's first-round loss to the St. Louis Blues last season.

"I've got to go out there and I've got to play my game," Kaprizov said. "If I do that, I think it'll turn, and the goals will come."

The Wild led the series 2-1 but have dropped two straight, being outscored 7-2 in the process. They can force a winner-take-all Game 7 with a victory on home ice Friday.

Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.