Kings 2, Wild 1
Tyler Toffoli recorded a goal and an assist and Jonathan Quick made 40 saves as Los Angeles edged visiting Minnesota to improve to 4-0-0 on its six-game homestand.
Tanner Pearson’s fifth tally turned out to be the game-winner for the Kings, who have held opponents to a total of three goals during the winning streak after yielding seven in their first two games. Quick missed out on taking over the franchise shutout lead but turned aside 16 shots in the third period alone en route to his third straight victory.
Matt Cooke recorded his first goal and Niklas Backstrom made 14 saves in his first start for the Wild. Minnesota went 0-for-5 on the power play and has yet to score in 16 chances with the man advantage over its first four games.
Wild center Charlie Coyle drew a high-sticking penalty in the first period and Los Angeles took advantage of the opportunity as Mike Richards' wrist shot from the left wing allowed a rebound for Toffoli with 6:06 left in the session. Minnesota put a dozen shots on goal and had a pair of power plays in the second but could not solve Quick.
The Kings doubled the advantage 2:58 into the third, when Toffoli circled behind the net and flipped the puck to Pearson in the slot for a one-timer. Cooke took a tip pass from Ryan Carter and sent it over Quick’s shoulder at 6:47 to slice the deficit to 2-1, but Los Angeles killed off two penalties down the stretch and the Wild could not find the equalizer.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Quick remains tied with Rogie Vachon on Los Angeles' all-time list with 32 career shutouts. … Richards and Minnesota D Christian Folin fought midway through the second period after the latter checked Los Angeles C Anze Kopitar hard into the boards near the bench. Richards was hit with an instigator penalty and a 10-minute misconduct. … Kings RW and former Wild star Marian Gaborik (upper body) missed his third straight game.