Jonathan Quick made 40 saves and Tyler Toffoli had a goal and an assist in the Los Angeles Kings’ fourth straight victory, 2-1 over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.
Toffoli scored an early power-play goal and Tanner Pearson added a third-period goal for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who stayed perfect on their six-game homestand with another dominant game from Quick.
The Kings also got two more goals from That 70s Line — the jersey-number-inspired nickname for Jeff Carter’s combo with youngsters Toffoli and Pearson. The trio has scored 11 of Los Angeles’ 14 goals this season.
Niklas Backstrom stopped 14 shots and Matt Cooke scored with 13:13 to play for the Wild, who lost back-to-back games in Southern California despite largely impressive performances.
The NHL’s best defensive team last season is back in top form again. Cooke’s goal was just the third by Los Angeles’ opponents in 245 minutes during the homestand, and Quick was stellar in the Kings’ crease after tying Rogie Vachon’s franchise record with his 32nd career shutout on Thursday.
Los Angeles also held the Wild scoreless on five power plays, extending Minnesota’s season-opening drought to 0 for 16.
Backstrom got his first start of the season for Minnesota after Darcy Kuemper opened the season with back-to-back shutouts of Colorado and a 2-1 loss at Anaheim. Backstrom hadn’t played since Jan. 30 after undergoing surgery on his abdomen and hip last season.
The Kings opened the scoring with just their second power-play goal in 19 tries this season — and Minnesota’s first power-play goal allowed. When Mike Richards’ pass deflected off Ryan Suter’s skate in the crease, Toffoli smacked it home for his sixth point in six games.
Minnesota dominated long stretches of the first two periods, but Quick was on top of his formidable game. Rookie Christian Folin also sparked the Wild when he sent Anze Kopitar into the boards with a ferocious check, prompting Los Angeles’ Mike Richards to instigate a fight.
Pearson’s linemates set him up for his team-leading fifth goal early in the third period, with Toffoli feeding him in the slot for a one-timer past Backstrom.
Cooke ended the Kings’ shutout bid with a backhand when he was left unguarded in front of Quick, whose shutout streak ended at more than 111 minutes.
Former Minnesota forward Marian Gaborik missed his third straight game for the Kings, and defenseman Jake Muzzin still hasn’t played this season. Both Stanley Cup winners are out with upper-body injuries.
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