Did the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov Get Away With One?

Last night, the Minnesota Wild won their second game in a row with an impressive 6-1 win against the Nashville Predators. The Wild played like a team possessed. However, there might be an unexpected twist; a Minnesota Wild's star player could be getting a call from the NHL's Department of Players Safety. At the present moment, there hasn't been a call from the NHL's Department of Players Safety, but I wouldn't be shocked if it happened.  

During last night's game, Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov might have gotten away with a dirty hit. See the video below. In the first period, Kaprizov hit Predators defenseman Alexandre Carrier in the head when he didn't have the puck. Predators Nation is unhappy with Kirill. 

 "This is exactly what the NHL is trying to get out of the game, Predators Puck Analyst Hall Gill said after the first period. The hits to the head, this is this is embarrassing that this was not a five-minute major. Kaprizov should be out. Carrier doesn't have the puck and he finishes through on his head. 

"This is highly illegal. This is what the NHL has been getting rid of for how many years now? This is old school. I hate to see Carrier going off the ice. It's just such a dirty hit. As a hockey player, you have an obligation to protect someone. If they don't have the puck. You can't hit them. And if they don't have the puck, you certainly can't hit them in the head. The rest should have made this call; this is embarrassing."

.@Skillsy75 is not happy about the referees not calling the Kaprizov hit on Carrier a major penalty.

"This is exactly what the NHL is trying to get out of the game..." pic.twitter.com/pCCExZjjzk

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) December 1, 2023

"I didn't see the hit but I was talking to the refs, Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly told the Tennessean after the game. They said there was head contact. It should have been reviewed. I asked them to review it. I don't know if they made a mistake or not. Obviously, a dangerous play." As of right now, there's no hearing scheduled, but that doesn't mean the league won't take a look at the hit. If they do, Kaprizov could be in trouble.

As of now, no hearing announced for Kirill Kaprizov, so at least in terms of a suspension, Dept of Player Safety may have decided on nothing or a fine after considering his head contact on Carrier

If that’s the case, the #mnwild & Hynes will have a full lineup (Hartman) Sunday

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 1, 2023

Russo has a point with this tweet if the roles were reversed., Wild fans would be upset. Yes, the Wild's star players have seen opposition players take runs at their star players, but Kaprizov has put a target on himself the next time he plays the Predators. 

The forensic expert fans on my mentions today are such hypocrites. It’s so funny to me. Imagine if the roles were reversed here

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 1, 2023