7:30 p.m. vs. Los Angeles • Xcel Energy Center • NBCSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild is a point behind Colorado for the final Western Conference playoff spot. The Kings look primed to go on another Stanley Cup run. The Pacific Division leaders, who clinched their sixth playoff berth in seven years last week, are 11-3-1 in their past 15 games after a 5-2 loss at Nashville on Monday. The Wild is 3-8-3 in its past 14 games at Xcel. The Kings are 9-1-1 in the second of back to backs, outscoring opponents 36-20.
Players to watch: Wild LW Zach Parise, one goal from 100 with the Wild, has two goals and 12 assists in the past 24 games. RW Charlie Coyle has no goals and five assists in the past nine games, but he has three shootout goals in that stretch. G Devan Dubnyk is 7-1-1 in his past nine decisions. Kings G Jonathan Quick went 3-0 last week with a 1.32 goals-against average and .953 save percentage. C Anze Kopitar is 10th in league scoring with 66 points and is on a six-game point streak. C Tyler Toffoli is tied for 21st with 26 goals.
Numbers: The Kings entered Monday giving up a league-low 2.23 goals per game. They had the league's seventh-best power play (21.1 percent). The Wild's penalty kill is 13-for-13 the past seven games.
Injuries: Wild RW Jason Pominville (lower body), LW Ryan Carter (upper body) and G Darcy Kuemper (upper body) are out. Kings D Matt Greene (shoulder), RW Marian Gaborik (knee) and RW Jordan Nolan (back) are out.
MICHAEL RUSSO
