Mats Zuccarello scored a pivotal power-play goal with just 4:38 remaining in the third period, guiding the Minnesota Wild to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on March 17, 2025.
With this triumph, the Wild not only halted their struggles — winning for the second time in six games — but also significantly strengthened their hold on the first wild card position in the Western Conference.
The match in St. Paul, Minnesota, featured a remarkable performance by Ryan Hartman, who not only netted a goal but also assisted on another, while Marcus Johansson contributed to the scoring with a goal of his own. Jared Spurgeon stood out with two assists, aiding the Wild's efforts. Aside from these contributions, Filip Gustavsson delivered an impressive performance in goal, stopping 28 of 29 shots faced.
Conversely, the Kings were looking to extend their five-game winning streak, but the Wild's solid play thwarted their efforts. Adrian Kempe opened the scoring early in the match, giving Los Angeles a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal just 4:59 into the game. Kempe’s one-timer from the right circle, assisted by Kevin Fiala, gave the Kings a brief edge, as they sought to capitalize on their early momentum.
However, the Wild showed resilience, with Hartman tying the game at 1-1. He redirected a point shot from Spurgeon into the net at 1:51 of the second period, putting an end to Kings' netminder Darcy Kuemper’s extraordinary shutout streak of 176:06 minutes.
As the match progressed, the intensity heightened, culminating in Zuccarello’s crucial goal. Receiving a pass from Matt Boldy in the left circle, he settled the puck before swiftly firing it past Kuemper, who was screened by Marco Rossi. This goal marked zuccarello’s 100th since joining the Wild in 2019, further solidifying his reputation as a key player in the team's success.
Following Zuccarello's goal, Johansson added an empty-netter with just 56 seconds left in regulation, sealing the victory for Minnesota.
The game featured moments of skill and determination, particularly from Gustavsson, who made a phenomenal save against Drew Doughty’s one-timer from the center point, maintaining Minnesota’s slim lead at a critical juncture in the third period.
The Wild's performance on the power play was noteworthy, as they converted on two of three opportunities after struggling previously, which saw them going 2 for 6 over their last three games. This improvement proved essential in their win over the Kings.
With this outcome, the Kings fell to 25-7-4 in games where they scored first and remained just one point behind Edmonton for second place in the Pacific Division.
As they look ahead, the Kings will face the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, March 20, 2025, aiming to bounce back from this disappointing loss, while the Wild are set to host the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Both teams find themselves in crucial matchups as the playoff race heats up.
Overall, this game showcased the Wild's resilience and adaptability, attributes crucial for their push towards the playoffs, while highlighting the challenges the Kings will need to overcome to stabilize their postseason hopes.
