LOS ANGELES – The Wild ran out of rallies.

After coming from behind four times two nights earlier against the Kings, the Wild sputtered 4-2 on Monday, Jan. 5, at Crypto.com Arena to also drop the rematch.

Los Angeles scored twice in 2 minutes, 18 seconds late in the second, a takeover that had been building all period.

Warren Foegele had the icebreaker, draining a point shot, before former Wild forward Kevin Fiala crashed the net to redirect in an Andrei Kuzmenko pass.

But Kuzmenko’s goal in the third period was the difference after the Wild netted two but not three to fall short in their bid to catch up yet again.

Adrian Kempe added an empty-netter.

The offense by the Kings came after an impressive defense by Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who made 19 consecutive saves before Los Angeles finally capitalized. Gustavsson totaled 29 stops. Former Wild netminder Darcy Kuemper had 32 saves for Los Angeles.

Captain Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Hartman had the Wild’s too-little, too-late goals, the latter coming on a four-minute power play after Marcus Johansson was cut by a high stick.

The Kings hung on despite finishing the game shorthanded. Captain Anze Kopitar departed hurt in what could be his final game against the Wild. The career King, who is retiring after the season, had 61 points in 70 career games vs. the Wild.

Joel Armia also exited early injured.

This was the Wild’s first regulation loss in seven games, the last coming Dec. 21 to Colorado, and first on their season-long road trip. They are 3-1-2 with one game to go.

How it happened

The Wild had a chance to take control on three power plays, including two in the second, but they whiffed on every opportunity.

Their fourth line of Marcus Foligno, Nico Sturm and Yakov Trenin generated the Wild’s most consistent pressure, although their execution was off.

The Kings’ was, too, with Gustavsson locked in: He fended off a 2-on-0 shot by Adrian Kempe, Foegele after he broke free and then also gloved the attempt at the rebound by former Minnesota Duluth player Mikey Anderson.

Gustavsson denied Foegele again in tight before Foegele finally converted from the point, a one-timer that sailed in 15:34 into the second period.

Turning point

The Wild rallied four times before losing 5-4 in a shootout to the Kings on the weekend, but the Wild’s deficit was never more than a goal.

That wasn’t the case in the second game.

With 2:08 left in the second, Kuzmenko fed Fiala for a tap-in at the back post.

After the Wild killed off Los Angeles’ only power play to start the third, Spurgeon tried to start a comeback with a point shot 5:55 into the period; Sturm’s assist on the play was his 100th career point.

But like they did last time, the Kings had an answer: Kuzmenko drove to the net and dumped the puck in at 9:20.

Los Angeles scored another, but it was called back because the puck was kicked in by Quinton Byfield.

A high stick by Anderson on Johansson resulted in a four-minute power play for the Wild, and it was the second unit that cashed in with 4:39 to go on Hartman’s first goal in seven games. Brock Faber’s assist was also his 100th career point, and he’s the fastest defenseman in Wild history to reach 100 (206 games) after debuting with the team.

But a breakaway for Kempe into an empty net with 1:39 remaining prevented the Wild from moving closer.

Key stat

The power play went 1-for-6.

What it means

The Wild not recovering after they were so resilient in their previous game against the Kings was odd.

Yes, they’re nearing the end of a marathon road swing, and they’re not at full strength. Zach Bogosian didn’t play after getting hurt on a shot block. Elk River’s Matt Kiersted drew in on defense, and coach John Hynes anticipated Daemon Hunt meeting the team before the trip ends; Hunt has missed the past 10 games injured.

Faber, however, did suit up despite not participating in the team’s morning skate.

But the last week-plus on the road has become a mixed bag with just as many wins as losses including shootouts.

How successful of a trip this is hinges on the Wild’s next performance.

Up next

The last stop on the Wild’s trip is Seattle; they will play the Kraken on Thursday, Jan. 8.

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