LOS ANGELES – Snakebit Thomas Vanek isn't gripping his stick tight yet, but probably only because he can't.

The veteran forward who came to the Wild with a history of filling the net is still searching for his first goal in Minnesota four games into this season. He also missed the final 13 minutes of the second period of Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Kings because he was struck on the right thumb by a Ryan Suter wrist shot.

"It's throbbing, and squeezing the stick wasn't the easiest, but it was good enough to come back [in the third period]," Vanek said.

In four games, Vanek has been limited to one assist and 13 shots, including seven in Friday's 2-1 loss at Anaheim. Linemate Mikko Koivu, the Wild's all-time leading scorer with 452 points, has no points.

"I think we have chemistry," Koivu said. "I thought we had chances again. I thought there was a lot of stuff around the net. I think we're doing a lot of things the right way, but in the end, it's no excuse to say you're playing good when you can't capitalize on your chances."

Coach Mike Yeo did his best to dance around two postgame questions, one about the Vanek-Koivu chemistry and one about Vanek's play, which has lacked luster for the most part besides the Ducks game. Yeo noted that the Wild's second line with Justin Fontaine on the right side generated the team's most scoring chances in Anaheim.

But Vanek admitted he's frustrated by the lack of offense.

"As a team and for myself, you just need that first one and hopefully it opens up," said Vanek, who has scored 277 goals and 557 points in 667 games and signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Wild on July 1. "I don't feel like I'm squeezing my stick quite yet. We had some good looks. They're just not going in right now."

Backstrom gets chance

Goalie Niklas Backstrom made his first start since Jan. 11 and first appearance since Jan. 30. Backstrom, the Wild's all-time leader with 189 wins, underwent season-ending abdominal and hip surgeries last year. He made 14 saves.

"I was happy with his game," Yeo said. "I don't think he had a chance on either goal."

Backstrom was glad to be back in the net but wasn't happy with the loss.

"Their goalie [Jonathan Quick] played great, so I have to step up and make the saves for our guys," Backstrom said. "For sure, it's been, I don't want to curse, but it's been a long road to get here. It's fun to play again, but it's even more fun when you play and win."

Prosser plays

Defenseman Nate Prosser, reacquired off waivers from St. Louis in training camp, made his season debut. He started the game as rookie Christian Folin's partner, but ultimately, assistant coach Rick Wilson began rotating Prosser and Folin with defensemen Ryan Suter, Marco Scandella and Jonas Brodin.

Prosser logged 8 minutes, 14 seconds and had three hits and one blocked shot. Folin logged 10:47, had a shot, a hit on Anze Kopitar and fought Mike Richards in response for his first career scrap. Folin, though, left the front of the net before Tanner Pearson's eventual winning goal in the third period.

Etc.

• Left wing Jason Zucker survived a scare when Kings forward Kyle Clifford accidentally kicked Zucker in the throat after Zucker tripped him in the second.

• Of the Wild's 41 shots on goal Sunday, only Ryan Carter and Prosser failed to register one.