The Los Angeles Kings hosted a hot Minnesota Wild team on Friday night. The Kings were entering the game without a win and in need of points.
Tyler Toffoli got the Kings on the board with a power play goal in the second period.
Where most of the Kings’ efforts had been soft in the early games, the effort Friday was much different with LA going to corners and battling for the puck.
“I think tonight was more like Kings hockey,” Anze Kopitar said. “It definitely feels nice to get the first one out of the way.”
Mikko Koivu‘s goal early in the third tied the game up after LA had dominated much of the first 40 minutes.
“I thought our game, as a full 60-minute effort, was much better,” said forward Milan Lucic, who set up Toffoli’s goal. “We were able to establish more zone time. We were better through the neutral zone. We were better supporting each other. We were able to get more chances; it’s just about executing and finishing them off.”
Darcy Kuemper. Got the start in the Wild net and played well throughout in making 35 saves on the night.
“We knew what we were going to face tonight, a winless team and it’s not like they’re a team that you would expect to be winless at this point,” coach Mike Yeo said. “We knew we were coming into a hornets’ nest and we definitely weren’t on top of it, but I’m very proud and very pleased with the way we responded in the third period.”
Jonathan Quick had 25 saves in the win and looked strong all night.
Kopitar potted the game-winner midway through the extra session. The goal was reviewed for offsides but was called good and the Kings had their first win of the season.
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