The NHL playoffs are always filled with physical moments, but one incident during the game between the Avalanche and Wild quickly grabbed attention. A scary accidental moment involving Brent Burns and Kirill Kaprizov became one of the most talked-about plays from the matchup.

This incident happened during Game 2 of the Round 2 playoffs. Kirill Kaprizov and Brent Burns were battling for the puck near the boards. Burns tried to kick the puck with his skate, but missed it. Instead, his skate hit Kaprizov in the groin/sensitive area.

Right after the hit, Kaprizov looked in serious pain. Thanks to the protective gear that helped Kaprizov avoid a serious injury. Otherwise, the situation could have been much more dangerous.

The video of this incident quickly went viral on social media and saw mixed reactions. Some fans called it a complete accident, while others believed the referees should have given a penalty.

Some users argued that Burns only tried to move the puck with his skate, so officials should not punish him. Others felt the kicking motion looked dangerous and deserved a penalty.

There is also a discussion of NHL kicking rules and whether the league should review plays like this more strictly.

Nonetheless, this dangerous moment once again reminded fans of the risk involved in the sport. It is a high-contact sport, and players skate with sharp blades. Even routine plays can suddenly become painful due to the speed, intensity, and equipment involved in NHL playoff action.

Now the concern is that Kirill Kaprizov may have suffered a serious injury and could miss the next game.

The Minnesota Wild are already in a difficult position in the series, and they cannot afford to lose Kaprizov. He also scored a goal in Game 2.

Colorado Avalanche leads the series going into Game 3

Beyond the painful moment, the playoff series itself has already been highly physical and emotional. The Colorado Avalanche has been the best team this season so far.

They have won the Presidents’ Trophy and swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs. Currently, they are leading Round 2 of the series 2-0 against the Minnesota Wild. 

The Avalanche won the high-scoring first game 9-6. They also won Game 2 by 5-2. The Colorado Avalanche have clearly dominated the Minnesota Wild in this series so far.

They have scored 14 goals in two games, while the Wild has scored only 8. The two teams will now play Game 3 on May 09, 2026 (Saturday) at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. 

All eyes will now be on Kaprizov’s health as he is important for the Wild if they want to avoid a 3-0 score. 

Read more at NHL Fan Central!

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason