Wednesday Game Refresher: Los Angeles Kings Wipeout the Minnesota Wild 4-0

Well, that got off to a quick start.

The Los Angeles Kings took on the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota on Wednesday night.

The Kings jumped out to an early lead, scoring four goals in the first period, and never looked back.

Four and a half minutes into the game the Kings opened up the scoring. Kings forward Dwight King brought the puck into the Wild zone skating along the boards. King pulled up, stopped, and fired a mid-level shot from the halfboards. Mike Richards was skating across the front of the net and tipped the waist-high shot down, bouncing the puck past Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

The Kings missed a power-play opportunity with Wild superstar Zach Parise in the box. But 13:13 into the period the Kings scored their second goal of the night.

Brownie points for the captain. Dustin Brown scored his 200th career goal, to give the Kings a 2-0 lead. Brown picked up a loose puck that popped out of the Kings zone. Brown skated in with Justin Williams on a 2-on-1 against Minnesota superstar Ryan Suter. Brown got to the circle, and while eyeing Williams fired a shot that trickled through Kuemper’s legs.

Nov 26, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Martin Jones (31) makes a save on a shot by Minnesota Wild forward Mikko Koivu (9) during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. The Kings win 4-0 over the Wild. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Time that the goals were score had a strange double-number pattern.

At 18:18 of the first Kings forward Tyler Toffoli blocked a shot by Wild defensemen Nate Prosser. Toffoli took off on a similar looking 2-on-1 with Marian Gaborik breaking wide, and Wild defensemen Marco Scandella in the middle skating backwards. Toffoli skated toward the slot, faked a shot, made a sweet little move in and out drawing Kuemper far outside of his crease. Toffoli deked around the exposed goaltender and backhanded the puck into the empty net.

It seemed like the Wild were going to stop the bleeding and go into the first intermission licking their wounds with a three goal deficit. Instead the Kings scored again, completely draining the Wild’s spirits and putting the game out of reach.

Jarret Stoll brought the puck up through center. Stoll passed the puck over to Brown on the wing. Brown carried the puck into the Wild zone. Stoll drove to the net, drawing a Wild defender with him, and opening up a lane for Justin Williams. Williams cut from the right wing to the center of the ice. Brown hit Williams with a pass and Williams quickly fired a shot from the high slot beating Kuemper with 10-seconds left in the first period. 4-0 L.A.

This goal drew boos from Minnesota fans. Wild fans were letting their home team have it for such a poor opening.

After the first period Wild head coach Mike Yeo pulled Darcy Kuemper for Nicklas Backstrom. Kuemper allowed 4 goals on 10 shots.

The Wild looked like turkeys, running around with their heads cut off.

There were no goals in the second or third periods.

It worked out like RinkRoyalty had suggested.

Mike Richards had a huge game. After starting off the season slow, and with a number of pundits and fans questioning him and spreading trade rumors, the Kings center stepped up and rang the bell, showing what he has to offer and why he’s still a valuable part of this team.

Martin Jones got his second start in back-to-back nights. Jones recorded his fifth career shutout, turning aside all 28 of Minnesota’s shots.

Brown scored his 200th goal, and got an assist in the game. Brown now has 2 goals, and 5 points in his last 5 games.

Justin Williams continued his 6-game point streak with an assist in the game. Williams has 3 goals and 7 points over the 6-game streak.

Ever since head coach Darryl Sutter put Brown and Williams back together they have been pumping out points. If the Kings could keep the Brown-Williams production going, get That 70’s Line back together and shake off the icicles, and have the Deadly Duo of Gaborik and Kopitar turn it up a notch they will be unstoppable. Like the 2014, and 2012 Stanley Cup runs.