Kings give up lead in 3rd period for 2nd straight game but recover for 5-4 shootout win over Wild

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Los Angeles Kings right wing Corey Perry (10) is congratulated at the bench after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt blocks a shot by Los Angeles Kings left wing Andrei Kuzmenko during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) — Los Angeles Kings right wing Corey Perry (10) is congratulated at the bench after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

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11:17 PM on Saturday, January 3

By DAN GREENSPAN

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quinton Byfield had a goal and an assist, Samuel Helenius scored his first goal of the season, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Minnesota Wild 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday night.

Adrian Kempe and Corey Perry also scored, Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves, and the Kings were able to respond after wilting late in similar circumstances in a 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Matt Boldy scored late to salvage a point for the Wild. Jake Middleton, Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber each had a goal, and Minnesota is 3-0-3 in its past six games. Jesper Wallstedt made 34 saves.

Kempe and Brandt Clarke scored in the four-round shootout, and Kuemper saved attempts by Kirill Kaprizov and Vladimir Tarasenko.

The Kings took the lead four times, only for the Wild to tie it up each time, with Boldy making it 4-4 with 2:57 remaining by getting to the right post where Faber’s shot went in off his upper body.

Los Angeles went back in front 3-2 early in the third period when Byfield sent the puck caroming off the boards back into the crease, Wallstedt lost it in his skates off his line, and it was eventually knocked in by an errant Minnesota stick.

Faber tied it up 3-all at 7:33 with an easy tap in from Danila Yurov off the rush.

Helenius scored on a wrist shot from the left circle at 12:09 of the third to put the Kings back up 4-3, with the fourth-line center coming free after entering the zone late off a line chance and putting in Kevin Fiala’s pass.

Up next

The teams meet again Monday night in Los Angeles.

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