The Los Angeles Kings (17-14-9) and head coach Jim Hiller had a much-needed win on home ice yesterday night (Jan. 3) in the West against the Minnesota Wild (25-10-8) from the Central Division in a thriller at Crypto.com Arena. Getting a grinding win over one of the top teams in the Western Conference standings this regular season in the past couple of months was huge for the Kings yesterday.
Three points combined and a game-winning shootout goal from Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke gives the Los Angeles Kings two points and a win over the Wild
Defenseman Brandt Clarke, center Sammy Helenius, and center Quinton Byfield all delivered clutch performances offensively and on both ends of the ice in various ways for the Kings yesterday on home ice. Clarke scored the game winner in the shootout fo rthe Kings.
Helenius and Byfield both scored goals in regulation offensively for the Kings forward core vs. Minnesota yesterday. The Kings got off to a fast start in this game offensively yesterday vs. Minnesota, scoring in the game's first period in the opening frame on a nice play by forward Adrian Kempe.
The Kings and Minnesota went back and forth on the ice and on the scoreboard. Minnesota tied the game on the scoreboard just a couple of minutes after the Kings took the early 1-0 lead in the opening frame in the first period.
Hiller and the Kings led on the scoreboard four separate times in this game on home ice in regulation yesterday night vs. the Wild. In the game's final frame in the third period, the Kings looked to have the game nearly secured. But the Wild got a fortunate bounce that tied things up on the scoreboard late in the final frame in the third period.
The Kings eked out a nice win in the shootout to pick up a valuable two points in the standings in the West vs. Minnesota.
Here are two studs and one dud from the Kings' important shootout 5-4 win over the Wild on home ice at Crypto Arena on Jan. 3.
Stud: Brandt Clarke, D
No one was as calm, cool, and collected in the game's shootout yesterday between the Kings and Minnesota as Clarke on the final shot for LA in extra time. Clarke buried a nice shot on the blocker side low against Jesper Wallstedt to deliver the valuable two points in the standings in the West in the Pacific Division for the Kings.
The game-winning shootout goal tonight from Kings' defenseman Brandt Clarke vs. Minnesota!pic.twitter.com/Vlc5ZeU7XJ
— Rink Royalty (@RinkRoyalty) January 4, 2026
The Kings couldn't get much going in overtime in the 3-on-3, and on special teams on a power play late in extra time. But the Kings found an answer in the shootout from Clarke to give the team two points in the standings.
"Probably should have used him ahead of Kopi and Kev, I guess. But no, Brandt’s ready for the moment. Really happy for him get the first one. I know the pressure doesn’t bother him whatsoever. So he’ll find his way in there again, probably in the top three."Jim Hiller on Brandt Clarke
Clarke not only scored the game-winning goal in the shootout vs. Minnesota yesterday for the Kings, but he also registered an assist on a goal by Byfield on special teams on the power play in the middle frame in the second period.