Wild Make Their Better Looks Count Against Askarov
Minnesota won this one the honest way: it created the better scoring chances, and San Jose didn't have enough answers in front of or behind its defence. The Wild had more of the puck heading toward the net, landing 29 shots to 24, and the quality matched the volume. By expected goals, a measure of how many goals a team's chances were worth, the Wild's looks added up to 3.31 against 2.09 for the Sharks.
The difference widened in goal. Yaroslav Askarov stopped 25 of 29 and finished at -0.69 goals saved above expected, meaning he let in more than an average goalie would have on those chances. At the other end, Jesper Wallstedt allowed only one goal on 24 shots.
Kirill Kaprizov drove the scoring with one goal and three assists, and Quinn Hughes added three points in 31 minutes of ice time. The Sharks' best near miss was a Collin Graf shot off the crossbar. Minnesota won 4-1 and stays first in the West. San Jose remains sixth in the Pacific.
