8 p.m. at Los Angeles Kings • Staples Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Gameday preview: Wild at Los Angeles
January 16, 2021 at 4:11AM
Momentum builds for 2-0 start
Preview: The Wild is back in action against the Kings to complete a two-game series to open the season, looking for its first 2-0 start since the 2015-16 season. The 4-3 overtime rally Thursday was just the second time in Wild history the team overcame a deficit of two or more goals to win its season opener. The Wild has won 10 of its past 17 games vs. Los Angeles.
Players to watch: Wild RW Kirill Kaprizov played 21 minutes, 52 seconds during his three-point NHL debut, the most minutes among Wild forwards. D Jonas Brodin picked up where he left off offensively, scoring the first goal of the season after he had a pair of assists in the team's final playoff game last season. … Kings C Anze Kopitar won 67% of faceoffs Thursday. Goalie Jonathan Quick posted 23 saves.
Numbers: The Wild power play finished 0-for-6 in its debut despite putting 11 shots on net. Goalie Cam Talbot stopped all 13 shots he faced in the third period and overtime. … Los Angeles scored during three different situations Thursday: at 5-on-5, during 4-on-4 and on the power play. D Drew Doughty played a game-high 29:12.
Injuries: Wild RW Mats Zuccarello (arm) and G Alex Stalock (upper body) are out.
Sarah McLellan
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The veteran forward was injured when hit with a shot during Thursday’s victory over Montreal.
