Kempe delivers first win for Kings
He converts Kopitar’s feed to lift L.A. Fiala has goal, two assists in return to Minnesota.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Adrian Kempe’s second goal of the night broke a tie in the third period as the Kings recovered after giving up a two-goal lead and beat the Minnesota Wild 7-6 Saturday night for their first win of the season.
Kevin Fiala added a goal and two assists in his return to Minnesota. Gabriel Vilardi, Drew Doughty, Alex Iafallo and Matt Roy also scored for the Kings, starting
a five-game trip. Cal Petersen stopped 29 shots.
Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists and Kirill Kaprizov scored his first goal of the season for Minnesota, which has allowed 14 goals in losing its first two games.
Filip Gustavsson made 17 saves — and added an assist — after replacing Marc-Andre Fleury to start the second period. Fleury gave up four goals on 14 shots in the first.
Kopitar found Kempe charging down the slot and his shot bested Gustavsson to break a 6-6 tie and silence a suddenly raucous capacity crowd.
A casualty of Minnesota’s salary cap issues, Fiala was traded to the Kings in the offseason after establishing career highs in goals (33), assists (52) and points (85). In 215 games with Minnesota, Fiala had 79 goals and 107 assists, both team bests in that span.
He and linemates Kempe and Kopitar combined for nine points as the top-line trio continues to mold into a unit. They had a combined two assists in the first two
Kings games, both losses.
Showing their potential prowess on a second-period power play, Kopitar passed to Kempe in the slot. His touch pass went to Fiala, who beat Gustavsson on a one-timer for a 5-3 lead.