Kings get an early goal, but Wild deny them a 3rd straight win

November 9, 2018 LawsonRealtyGroup Real Estate News 0


  • Kings players Jack Campbell (36), Drew Doughty (8), Dustin Brown (23) and Anze Kopitar (11) hold up signs with the word “ENOUGH” before Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Wild at Staples Center. The signs were a response to the mass shooting late Wednesday night in Thousand Oaks. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: The Minnesota Wild hold up signs with the word “ENOUGH” in reaction to yeserday’s shooting in Thousand Oaks, Calofornia before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: The Los Angeles Kings hold up signs with the word “ENOUGH” in reaction to yeserday’s shooting in Thousand Oaks, Calofornia before the game against the Minnesota Wild at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Zach Parise #11 of the Minnesota Wild attempts a wrap around on Jack Campbell #36 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell, left, deflects a shot by Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts to his goal to take a 1-0 lead over the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal, to take a 1-0 lead over the Minnesota Wild, with his bench during the first period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Dion Phaneuf #3 of the Los Angeles Kings gets tripped by Zach Parise #11 of the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Nino Niederreiter #22 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates his goal with Matt Dumba #24 and Zach Parise #11 to tie the game 1-1 with the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Oscar Fantenberg #7 of the Los Angeles Kings falls in front of Marcus Foligno #17 of the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Jack Campbell #36 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save as Marcus Foligno #17 of the Minnesota Wild looks for a rebound during the first period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings looks for the puck in the corner in front of Nino Niederreiter #22 and Ryan Suter #20 of the Minnesota Wild during the second period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Willie Desjardins of the Los Angeles Kings reacts during a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Jack Campbell #36 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save on Jason Zucker #16 of the Minnesota Wild as Dion Phaneuf #3 takes a slashing penalty during the third period in a 3-1 Wild win at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Minnesota Wild breaks in, in front of a diving Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings, during the third period in a 3-1 Wild win at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings with Mikko Koivu #9 and Mikael Granlund #64 at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Jack Campbell #36 and Alec Martinez #27 of the Los Angeles Kings watch the puck during a 3-1 Minnesota Wild win at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild makes a save as Tanner Pearson #70 of the Los Angeles Kings looks for a rebound during the second period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild in goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Jack Campbell #36 and Alec Martinez #27 of the Los Angeles Kings make a save on a shot from Joel Eriksson Ek #14 of the Minnesota Wild as Jeff Carter #77 defends during the third period in a 3-1 Wild win at Staples Center on November 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Minnesota Wild right wing Nino Niederreiter (22), of Switzerland, celebrates his goal with defenseman Matt Dumba (24) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild right wing Nino Niederreiter, left, of Switzerland, scores as Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell, right, center Trevor Lewis, second from left, and defenseman Drew Doughty (8) defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle, center, controls the puck with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) and goaltender Jack Campbell, right, defending during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell, center, blocks a shot by Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise, right, with defenseman Alec Martinez, left, helping during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11), of Slovenia, clears the puck under pressure from Minnesota Wild right wing Nino Niederreiter (22), of Switzerland, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, right, collides with Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise (11) is congratulated by teammates, including defenseman Ryan Suter (20), after his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson, right, takes the puck over the blue line with Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu, left, of Finland, trailing during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon (46) takes the puck away from Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild defenseman Nick Seeler, right, clears the puck away from Los Angeles Kings center Adrian Kempe, left, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild right wing Mikael Granlund, left, of Finland, controls the puck with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, right, defending during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild center Eric Fehr, left, battles for the puck with Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker, center, shot gets stopped by Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell, right, with defenseman Dion Phaneuf, left, helping Campbell during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek, below right, of Sweden, pokes his stick at the puck, as Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) attempts to make a glove sweep, after losing his stick, with goaltender Jack Campbell, left, and center Jeff Carter (77) defending during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell, left, defends against a shot by Minnesota Wild left wing Jordan Greenway, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

  • Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise, center, has his shot go between the legs of Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell, right, with defenseman Oscar Fantenberg, left, of Sweden, defending during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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LOS ANGELES – Jake Muzzin scored 4:42 into the first period for the Kings on Thursday night. They never scored again.

The Wild did, though, scoring a goal in each period on their way to a 3-1 victory over the Kings before 17,621 at Staples Center. That ends a franchise record sellout streak of 297 consecutive games (including playoffs) at home.

It was the Kings’ second game under interim coach Willie Desjardins, who took over after John Stevens was fired Sunday. Desjardins is 1-1-0.

The Kings are now 5-9-1 (11 points), the Wild are 9-4-2 (20 points). The Kings had won two consecutive games and three of their past four. Minnesota has won three of its past four.

Muzzin’s first goal of the season was a beauty. He received a pass from Alec Martinez just inside the defensive blue line, got into the offensive zone by getting by a couple of defenders and let loose on a shot from just inside the left face-off circle that found the upper right-hand corner past Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk, who stopped 27 shots.

When that happened so early on, it seemed like it might be the Kings’ night, like they might score a few more.

“You always have that feeling that you’re going to score a lot,” Muzzin said.

They didn’t, but Muzzin didn’t have an issue with the way his team played.

“I thought we played a good game,” he said. “I thought we played well and they won the special teams battle; they got a power-play goal, we didn’t. It’s a 2-1 hockey game. Yeah, I thought more goals were to come; sometimes that doesn’t happen.”

The Kings had 14 shots on goal in the first period, but had just 14 more over the final two periods to finish with 28. Team captain Anze Kopitar was asked to explain what happened to the offense after Muzzin’s goal.

“I don’t think we played enough, obviously, in their zone,” he said.

Like Muzzin, Kopitar would not rip the play of his team.

“I thought we played a decent game, but gotta capitalize on the chances and special teams are always a big part of winning games, and we lost that battle tonight.”

Muzzin mentioned it was a “2-1 hockey game.” It was, until Mikael Granlund scored a short-handed goal into an empty net with 2.9 seconds to play for the game’s final tally.

What was galling about that was the Kings were on a power-play since the 18:06 mark. They had pulled goalie Jack Campbell, meaning they had a 6-on-4 and still couldn’t score.

“Obviously, it’s nice to have a 6-on-4 in that kind of position, but like I said, we couldn’t capitalize on it,” Kopitar said.

Martinez was called for hooking at 13:29 of of the period, and Minnesota made the Kings pay when Nino Niederreiter scored his first of the season at 14:23 on the power-play. Campbell, who stopped 21 shots, made a point-blank stop on Zach Parise, but Niederreiter knocked in the rebound to tie the game 1-1.

The first 14-plus minutes of the second period went by without a goal, but Parise changed that when he shot a back-hander past Campbell at 14:42 for a 2-1 Wild lead. It was No. 6 for Parise, with the assist going to Mikko Koivu.

Not long after, at 16:36, Minnesota’s Eric Fehr was called for tripping Kings defenseman Oscar Fantenberg. But the Kings could not capitalize on the power-play opportunity, so the Wild took a one-goal lead into the second intermission.

The Kings were 0-for-3 on the power play, the Wild were 1-for-3, and had the shorthanded goal.

Afterward, Desjardins praised the Wild while at the same time explaining how his team went the final 55-plus minutes without scoring.

“Their (defensemen) are good,” he said. “They have a really stingy D that moves the puck. But saying that, I think that we passed up some chances to shoot. There were some shots there that if we put it to the net, maybe we could have gotten some traffic and some rebounds.

“But, yeah, we had our chances; 2-1 game late and got a power play and didn’t capitalize on it.”

Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau liked what he saw from his team from about the midway point of the first period.

“I thought the last 50 minutes were really good,” he said. “I thought the first 10 minutes we were scrambling, letting them play and we were watching them.”

The Kings next play host to Calgary on Saturday night at 7.



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