LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Anze Kopitar's nifty shootout goal proved the game-winner as the Los Angeles Kings knocked off the Minnesota Wild, the NHL's last unbeaten team, 4-3 Tuesday.
Kopitar shifted from forehand to backhand repeatedly as he closed in on Niklas Backstrom, eventually tapping the puck to the right side as he moved left around the Wild goalie.
Kopitar also scored a short-handed goal in the third period that gave the Kings a 3-2 lead. Scott Thornton and Kyle Calder the first two goals for the Kings, who stopped a five-game slide and avoided their worst start since 1987 by winning for just the second time.
Jean-Sebastien Aubin stopped 28 shots for his first win this season.
Pavol Demitra, Mikko Koivu and Brian Rolston scored for the 5-1 Wild, who were the last undefeated team in the NHL. Backstrom allowed three goals on 29 shots in the loss.
