Wild Prevail in OT Thriller Against Sharks; Eriksson Ek Shines

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Joel Eriksson Ek scored four goals, and Kirill Kaprizov netted the overtime winner as the Minnesota Wild edged the San Jose Sharks 8-7 at Xcel Energy Center on April 10, 2025.

Eriksson Ek, returning from a 21-game absence due to injury, found the net twice in the final period, helping Minnesota secure a crucial victory. Kaprizov’s game-ending one-timer occurred just 1:01 into overtime, capping his return from injury after missing 28 games.

“It was not our best defensive game. But it’s nice to win,” said Kaprizov. “We take these two points.” The victory improved Minnesota’s record to 43-29-7, maintaining their position as the first wild card in the Western Conference playoffs.

Coach John Hynes praised Eriksson Ek and Kaprizov’s contributions, saying, “They’re tremendous competitors; they mean so much to the team.” Hynes acknowledged the tough roads back from injuries and commended the training staff’s efforts in preparing them for the game.

Despite the loss, rookie Macklin Celebrini shined for the Sharks, recording his first NHL hat trick along with two assists. The Sharks struggled with consistency this season, now sitting at 20-47-11, having lost seven straight games.

“We just got a good look at the future,” said Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky. Celebrini’s strong performance provided a glimmer of hope for San Jose.

The back-and-forth match began with the Sharks taking an early lead, but Minnesota quickly responded. After Tyler Toffoli‘s opening goal for San Jose, the Wild matched it with Marcus Johannes‘ equalizer. The intensity continued throughout the game, with both teams trading leads.

Eriksson Ek’s offensive outburst included three goals scored within a tight span in the later stages of the game. “Good bounces,” he reflected, stating that game advantages often depend on such moments.

The Sharks rallied late in the third to force overtime. Will Smith scored with 52 seconds left to tie the game at 7-7, ensuring the Sharks put up a fight until the end. Meanwhile, Wild goaltender Marc-André Fleury, in what might be his last regular-season home game, permitted seven goals but earned his 574th career victory.

After Celebrini’s early-game goals, the Wild’s Kaprizov responded to tie the score at 4-4 with a power-play goal before Eriksson Ek scored again to regain the lead heading into the third.

The entertaining exchange between the two teams showcased both sides’ resilience and passion heading into the closing weeks of the season, with critical points on the line.

The Wild’s next matchup will be on the road against the Calgary Flames on April 12. The Sharks will also take to the road, facing the Edmonton Oilers on April 11.