Kings leading Minnesota Wild 3-0 after first period

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The Kings scored on two of their first three shots of the game against the Minnesota Wild. They got off to a 1-0 lead just 1:07 into the first period when defenseman Jack Johnson fired from the point and Ryan Smyth, parked in front, redirected the puck passed Wild goaltender Josh Harding.

Then at 3:18, Kings right winger Justin Williams scored a goal off an assist from Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar.

Kopitar was also involved on the third goal. He blocked a shot by Minnesota defenseman Greg Zanon and then found Smyth on the right wing. After Wild defenseman Brent Burns dove to block the pass, Smyth was able to slide the puck underneath Burns’ stick to Kopitar on the left side. His goal at 10:31 gave the Kings a 3-0 cushion. Kopitar has recorded three goals and seven points in the Kings’ first three games of the season.

The Kings scored their three goals on 13 shots, while Minnesota had eight.

--Mark Medina