An uptempo, entertaining season opener from the Xcel Energy Center saw the Wild squander a third-period lead against the LA Kings, and go on to lose in a shootout to the 2012 Stanley Cup Champions.
Minnesota outshot LA 29-18, but got nothing after scoring twice in period one, despite putting 13 shots on net in the second period to just three from the Kings.
LA tied it at two in the third period, with Jeff Carter scoring with 6:46 left in the contest.
Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu were denied in the shootout, and both Anze Kopitar and Carter were successful for the Kings to put the game on ice.
The game featured two fights, neither of which involved Dustin Brown, who was booed throughout the game by the announced crowd of 18,511, but did feature this bout.
Minnesota’s two goals came from free-agent acquisition Matt Cooke 1:04 into the game, while Jonas Brodin got his first of the season with 2:48 left in the first period.
Minnesota returns to action Saturday at home against the Anaheim Ducks.
