Zuccarello's Power-Play Heroics Propel Wild to Victory Over Kings

Mats Zuccarello delivered a clutch power-play goal with just 4:38 remaining, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. This win was crucial for the Wild, who have been navigating a challenging stretch in their season.

Ryan Hartman contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while Marcus Johansson also found the back of the net. Jared Spurgeon was instrumental in the game, providing two assists to help his team secure the win. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson was solid between the pipes, making 28 saves to keep the Kings at bay.

For Los Angeles, Adrian Kempe opened the scoring with a power-play goal just 4:59 into the game, capitalizing on a one-timer from the right circle after receiving a pass from Kevin Fiala. However, the Kings' momentum was halted as they faced a tough loss, ending their five-game winning streak.

Zuccarello's pivotal moment came when he received a pass from Matt Boldy in the left circle. He expertly settled the puck and fired a shot past Kings' goalie Darcy Kuemper, who was screened by Marco Rossi. This goal marked Zuccarello's 100th since joining the Wild in 2019, a significant milestone for the veteran forward.

Johansson sealed the game with an empty-net goal with just 56 seconds left on the clock, ensuring the Wild's victory. Hartman had previously tied the game at 1-1 in the second period with a power-play goal, redirecting Spurgeon's shot past Kuemper and ending the goalie’s impressive shutout streak of 176:06.

Despite the loss, the Kings remain competitive, holding a record of 25-7-4 when scoring first. They are currently one point behind the Edmonton Oilers for second place in the Pacific Division. Meanwhile, the Wild improved to 2-3-1 in their last six games, maintaining a strong position in the Western Conference wild card race and closing in on third-place Colorado in the Central Division.

Gustavsson made a standout save early in the third period, snatching Drew Doughty's one-timer through traffic, which was crucial in keeping the game tied at 1-1. The Wild capitalized on their power-play opportunities, going 2 for 3 after struggling in their previous games.

Looking ahead, the Kings will face the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday to wrap up their two-game road trip, while the Wild will host the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, aiming to build on their recent success.