Wild’s Fiala aims to continue hot streak after long pause

On Jan. 28, Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala violently knocked Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy into the boards. He was suspended for three games the following day.

Fiala missed the next trio of contests, which resulted in two losses and an overtime win for the Wild. He was ready to return Feb. 4 before the Wild suffered an outbreak of COVID-19 on the roster.

Finally, after a 14-day absence for Minnesota and a 19-day playing drought for Fiala, the Wild are set to square off against the Kings on Tuesday.

Fiala didn’t tally a single point over the Wild’s opening four games, but he logged three goals in his final four contests before he was suspended.

Over his last 26 games played, Fiala registered 17 goals, 12 assists and 29 points with an average of 4.2 shots on goal per contest. Only four players — Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos (19 goals), Montreal’s Tyler Toffoli (19), Toronto’s Austin Matthews (18) and New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad (18) — have lit the lamp more in their last 26 games.

Fiala and the Wild will be challenged Tuesday night by Kings goaltender Cal Petersen, who owns the highest save percentage (.964) and the second-best goals against average (1.17) in the third period among NHL netminders.

That further emphasizes the importance for the Wild to score first. Minnesota has drawn first blood six times this year and is 5-1 in those games. In clashes when the Wild’s opponent scores first, Dean Evason’s squad is 1-4.

Leading the Kings in scoring is 36-year-old forward Dustin Brown with six goals. If he finished the season as Los Angeles’ top goal scorer, he’d be the Kings oldest skater to do so since Bob Nevin in 1974-75.

The puck drop between Minnesota and Los Angeles is scheduled for 9 p.m. and will be aired on FOX Sports North, with “Wild Live” beginning at 8:30 p.m.

Statistics courtesy Sportradar