Offensive outburst sparks Kings 5-4 Shootout Win over Minnesota Wild

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LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles relinquished a late lead for the second consecutive game, losing their third straight by a final score of 4-3 to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday evening at the Crypto.com Arena.

The Kings started strong and opened the scoring when Adrian Kempe buried his 14th goal of the season, finishing a setup from Anze Kopitar to give Los Angeles an early 1–0 lead. The lead was short-lived, as Jake Middleton capitalized on a defensive breakdown by Los Angeles and notched his first goal of the season with the assist of Mats Zuccarello and Zach Bogosian, sending a wrist shot from the left point past Darcy Kuemper to tie the game at one.

The second period began with a high-sticking penalty against Los Angeles’ Quinton Byfield just 12 seconds into the frame. The Kings killed off Minnesota’s power play and kept the score knotted at one apiece. Los Angeles would recapture the lead on a power-play goal by Corey Perry after a hooking penalty sent Minnesota's Brock Faber to the box. The goal marked Los Angeles’ fourth straight game with a power-play conversion and its third in the last two contests. Perry’s ninth goal of the season, set up by a perfect pass from Quinton Byfield, gave Los Angeles a 2–1 lead — one that once again quickly evaporated. Byfield’s second penalty of the period, this time for holding, opened the door for Minnesota to respond. Quinn Hughes recorded his 32nd assist by sending a pass down the ice to Joel Eriksson Ek, who fired a wrist shot for his 11th goal of the season.

Tied 2-2 entering the third period, Los Angeles struck first. A scramble at the net allowed Quinton Byfield to poke the puck past Minnesota goaltender Jesper Wallstedt for his sixth goal of the season, giving the Kings their third lead of the game. Despite falling behind for the third time, Minnesota refused to quit. Less than three minutes later, Brock Faber scored his ninth goal of the season, assisted by Danila Yurov and Kirill Kaprizov, to tie the game at three. The back-and-forth affair continued. After Faber’s tying goal, Los Angeles answered back with under eight minutes remaining in regulation, taking a 4-3 lead. A dazzling pass from Kevin Fiala put Samuel Helenius in perfect position to bury his first goal of the season, providing the Kings their fourth lead of the night. With just under three minutes to go, Minnesota's resilience shined bright once again. The Wild struck back as Matt Boldy collected his 48th point and team-leading 26th goal, sneaking one past Kuemper to even the score at four. Three periods would not be enough to settle this one.

In overtime, both teams had chances in their respective offensive zones to end the game, but neither could put the other away. Los Angeles goaltender Darcy Kuemper had the save of the season to keep the game alive. Fiala drew a high-stick penalty with set up a 4-on-3 power play with 1:32 left in the extra period, but the Kings would be denied and time would expire, sending this game to shootout.

After Fiala and Zuccarello each had their shots saved to start the shootout, Adrian Kempe fired a wrist shot past Wallstedt to give Los Angeles the early advantage. Boldy kept the theme of the night going, responding with a goal of his own to knot the shootout at one. Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar missed his attempt, and Kaprizov followed suit, leaving the score tied before Brandt Clarke sent one into the net to put the Kings on top. Kuemper sealed the victory by stopping Vladimir Tarasenko’s shot, sending the Los Angeles crowd into a frenzy. The victory snaps the Kings’ two-game skid and could prove to be a turning point as the midseason mark approaches.

Offensive Excellence

Despite Minnesota nipping at their heels, Los Angeles’ offense came through when it mattered most. The Kings entered tonight’s matchup having lost eight of their last ten, but a five-goal performance showcased a much different story, earning Los Angeles its first win of 2026. Los Angeles consistently created chances near the net, firing 38 shots on goal throughout the contest.

After Los Angeles late lead slipped away against Tampa Bay on Thursday, Los Angeles was looking at a very similar situation, allowing Minnesota to tie the game at four with 2:57 remaining in regulation.

Quinton Byfield detailed how important it is to rebound after letting a lead slip away and finishing strong.

"Those losses are so tough, when you're right there and let them back in the game, it feels like you're giving them the game," Byfield said. Those ones sting, so it feels good to close out the game and get it done."

Byfield discussed what a win of this nature can do for a team within striking distance of a top position in the standings.

"It feels like we haven't played our best hockey, and we're still right there, Byfield said."

The Kings began the first period like a team looking to make a statement after a frustrating loss on New Years Day. Los Angeles Kings head coach Jim Hiller loved what he saw out of his squad.

"That was as focused, as emotionally engaged I think our team has been all year," Hiller said. "I thought we were calm and confident."

Kevin Fiala extended his point streak to eight in the win, notching an assist on Perry's goal and burying one of his own in the third period to give Los Angeles a 3-2 lead.

Hiller highlighted Fiala's two-point performance and his ability to consistently make impact plays on the ice.

"Kevin had a really good night, Hiller said. "I think he was making a lot of plays."

Los Angeles improves to 17-14-9 and will look make it back-to-back wins over Minnesota as they host the Wild on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.

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