Preview: The Wild's five-game win streak ended Thursday with a 3-1 loss at San Jose. Seven of the past 10 meetings between the Wild and the Kings have been decided by one goal. In those seven, the Wild was 4-1-2. The Kings are 2-5-2 in their past nine after starting 5-1-1.

Players to watch: Kings center Anze Kopitar and has seven goals and 15 points in 20 games vs. the Wild. He is second in the NHL with 20 points and tied for 12th with eight goals. Drew Doughty, after holding out most of training camp, has goals in consecutive games. Wild center Mikko Koivu has 18 points in 19 career games vs. the Kings. With one goal in 15 games this season, Koivu is on pace for 5 1/2 goals. C Matt Cullen leads the Wild in scoring against Los Angeles with 19 points in 35 games.

Numbers: The Wild has given up 28 goals -- the second-fewest in the NHL -- and has allowed one or fewer goals in seven of 15 games. Since Oct. 29, the Wild leads the NHL with a 1.00 goals against average. ...The Wild is 8-0 when not allowing a power-play goal and 0-4-3 when allowing one or more. ... The Kings have been held to three or fewer goals in 13 of 16 games.

Injuries: Wild LW Guillaume Latendresse (concussion) and defensemen Greg Zanon (groin) and Mike Lundin (back) are out. D Clayton Stoner (finger) is questionable. Kings forward Scott Parse (lower body) is questionable.

MICHAEL RUSSO