Despite losing multiple key veteran forwards for lengthy stretches of the game due to various injuries, the Los Angeles Kings (18-14-9) and Jim Hiller rallied to beat the Minnesota Wild (25-11-8) in regulation by multiple goals on Monday night (Jan. 5). Andrei Kuzmenko led Hiller and the Kings to an impressive 4-2 win in the third period yesterday in clutch time, including a beautiful game-winning goal in the game's final 15 minutes in the final frame against Minnesota.
Los Angeles Kings rally for a hard-fought 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild early this week
Kuzmenko rose to the occasion offensively, scoring the puck for the Kings in the game's third period when the team had to show physicality and depth late in the contest in the final frame in clutch time.
Yesterday was the Kings' second straight win over the Wild from Minnesota on home ice at Crypto Arena. It was also the team's best responding performance on home ice in this past couple of months this regular season in the West.
Hiller gave his thoughts to the media yesterday after the big multi-goal win in regulation over the Wild, where his team showed a lot of resilience down the stretch in clutch time in the third period.
It's arguable that these are two of the best wins strung together on home ice at Crypto.com Arena in the West this regular season for Hiller and the Kings in the past few months.
Here's a look at everything Hiller said to the media postgame following the Kings' 4-2 regulation win over the Wild at Crypto Arena on Jan. 5.
Jim Hiller
On injury updates for Anze Kopitar and Joel Armia
"Kopi lower body, Army upper body, and we'll probably find out more tomorrow. Don't have a lot to report tonight."
On how big the win was last night vs. Minnesota
"We played well the game before, played well for 56 minutes against Tampa, so starting to get a little traction, I think."
On the goal Andrei Kuzmenko scored to give the Kings the win vs. Minnesota
"I thought the second period we pushed, we had a lot of chances in and around their net. Third, we knew they were going to come, but we got on our heels with the with the penalty kill. You’re looking in those moments for somebody to make a big play. We’ve had opportunities at different times this year and we’ve been close but we haven’t been able to get that. Tonight, it was just an incredible goal by Kuzy, really the most important goal in the game in the end."
On how Fiala and Kuzmenko played together yesterday vs. Minnesota on the forward lines
"I think since they've been together, they've been our most dangerous offensive line, but just maybe haven't hit the back of the net as often. So, Kuzy and Kevin are really creative. Typically, those are two players you don't play together because they can complement two other lines. They're two really creative offensive players. So, they've been pretty magical together. They look for each other a little bit. Turc does the dirty work and ends up at the net, and creates some space for them. So, nice to see. We need it. It's been well documented. We haven't scored enough. So, it looks like we're going to get some consistent scoring from that line."
On Darcy Kuemper's play last night vs. Minnesota
"Darce, when stuff is in front of him, as long as they don’t have to go lateral, 2-on-1’s and cross-ice passes, he’s as good as there is. He’s just so big and so square. I thought what he did well tonight too, you saw four or five scrambles, he was just able to hold his hold his ground at the net, not get pushed in. They’re jamming at him and I think that’s where the size and the strength really comes into play for him. Those were important, important moments in those scrambles."
On Sammy Helenius getting more playing time with the Kings losing Joel Armia and Anze Kopitar to injuries
"He played a season’s high tonight, but I think you’ve seen it, I think they matched up really well against Sturm’s line. Sturm’s line is a big, strong line, they’re hard to handle, I thought they had a pretty effective game tonight, so I really like the matchup of Malott, Perry and Sammy against that line. [The Wild] play them pretty consistently, so we were able to play our guys pretty consistently. I think you’re seeing Sammy gain some confidence, getting more ice time and there’s no doubt. I had him out there, buck and a half late, I had him out there late. It’s a two way street for him,"
On the goal by Warren Foegele
"He made the one that got disallowed, he drove and that looked more like Foegs to me, where he used to speed through the neutral zone, he attacked the net, quick play at the net, shot. We haven’t seen that a lot out of him this year, as far as speed through the rush attack, through the neutral zone. For me, I really enjoyed that moment for him, that felt like Foegs, so hopefully it’s a springboard for him."