National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 3, Los Angeles 2
When: 10:00 PM ET, Monday, March 31, 2014
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Referees: Mike Leggo, Brad Watson
Linesmen: Darren Gibbs, Tony Sericolo
Attendance: 18118

Wild 3, Kings 2: Matt Moulson and captain Mikko Koivu scored 62 seconds apart early in the third period as visiting Minnesota snapped Los Angeles' six-game winning streak.

Zach Parise recorded his team-leading 28th goal and added an assist for the Wild, who moved five points ahead of Phoenix for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Koivu also had an assist to extend his point streak to six games and Ilya Bryzgalov finished with 18 saves to improve to 4-0-2 in six starts with Minnesota.

Justin Williams collected a goal and an assist while defenseman Alec Martinez netted his seventh tally of the month for the Kings, who suffered just their fourth loss in 18 games.

Moulson skated toward the slot and deposited Jason Pominville's centering feed past Jonathan Quick (17 saves) and inside the left post at 3:54 of the third to forge a 2-2 tie. Koivu gave Minnesota its first lead shortly thereafter as his one-timer from the outer edge of the left faceoff circle sailed inside the near post.

Martinez's quick shot from the right circle handcuffed Bryzgalov 6 1/2 minutes into the first period before Parise answered at 3:37 of the second with his 13th power-play goal of the season. The first-ever draft pick of Minnesota, Marian Gaborik set up Williams at the left doorstep for an easy tally at 11:49 of the session.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Minnesota's Darcy Kuemper was injured during the morning skate, prompting the team to sign G Rob Laurie to serve as the emergency backup. The 43-year-old Laurie is based out of Anaheim and also suited up for both the Ducks and Vancouver this season. ... Koivu has scored two goals and set up seven others during his point streak. ... Minnesota D Jonathon Blum played in his 100th NHL game. ... The Wild signed Massachusetts-Lowell D Christian Folin to a two-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract prior to the game. He is expected to join the team in Chicago on Tuesday.
Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Los Angeles
Mikko Koivu 2 Points Justin Williams 2
Mikko Koivu 1 Goals Justin Williams 1
Mikko Koivu 1 Assists Justin Williams 1
Zach Parise 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Ilya Bryzgalov .900 Save Percentage Jonathan Quick .850
Ilya Bryzgalov 18 Saves Jonathan Quick 17
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Minnesota 20 3 1-1 2-2 6 28
Los Angeles 20 2 0-2 0-1 4 24
Upcoming Games
  • Los Angeles will play their next game at home against Phoenix. The Kings have a W/L % of .636 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Chicago. The Wild have a W/L % of .553 after a win and .474 after a loss.