The Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild are set to face off in an exciting NHL matchup on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The puck drops at 7:00 PM CT, and fans can catch the action on ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network, or local broadcasts.
Team Overview
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are in excellent form, riding a five-game winning streak and holding a record of 36-20-9, which places them third in the Pacific Division with 81 points. Their recent success has been fueled by stellar goaltending from Darcy Kuemper, who has posted back-to-back shutouts and boasts a remarkable .980 save percentage during this streak. Offensively, Quinton Byfield has been a revelation, scoring in six consecutive games and forming a dominant line with Kevin Fiala and Alex Laferriere.
The Kings’ defense, led by Drew Doughty, has been solid, allowing just 2.55 goals per game, which ranks second in the NHL. Their penalty kill is also a strength, operating at an impressive 82.4% efficiency.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild, on the other hand, are struggling, having lost seven of their last ten games. They currently sit fourth in the Central Division with a record of 37-25-5 and 79 points. Injuries have taken a toll on the team, with key players like Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek sidelined. This has left the Wild relying heavily on depth players to step up offensively.
Minnesota’s special teams have been a weak point, with a power play ranked 20th in the league at 20.6% and a penalty kill that is among the worst in the NHL at 70.2%. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson will need to deliver a strong performance to give the Wild a chance against the high-flying Kings.
Key Matchup
The Kings’ potent offense, led by Byfield and Adrian Kempe, will test the Wild’s struggling defense. Minnesota will need to find a way to generate offense despite their injuries, as they have scored just 18 goals in their last ten games, averaging a mere 1.8 goals per game.
