9:30 p.m. at Los Angeles • FSN, 100.3-FM

Preview: This will be the Wild's first crack at a second of a back-to-back situation this season. The Wild won its last five such scenarios last season, giving up one goal in each of those games. Of course, Devan Dubnyk started those games. Backup goalie Darcy Kuemper is expected to make his season debut at Staples Center. The Kings, who have won Stanley Cups in two of the past four seasons, missed the playoffs last season, are 0-3 (all at home) and have never lost their first four games of a season.

Players to watch: In his first start since Jan. 6, Kuemper made 32 saves in a 4-2 win at Nashville on April 9. In two games (one start) at the Staples Center, Kuemper is 1-0 with a 0.99 goals-against average and .962 save percentage. C Mikko Koivu has 27 points in 30 games vs. the Kings and LW Zach Parise has 10 points in 16 meetings. Kings RW Marian Gaborik is the Wild's all-time leader with 219 goals, 59 power-play goals and 1,694 shots and ranks second with 437 points in 502 games. C Anze Kopitar has 26 points in 33 games vs. the Wild and C Jeff Carter has 12 points in 19 meetings. Kings D Derek Forbort, a native of Duluth, will make his NHL debut. The former North Dakota standout will be the last of the 30 2010 first-rounders to play in an NHL game.

Numbers: The Kings have been outscored 12-2 this season, and their power play is 0-for-13. … The Wild has lost four of its past seven in Los Angeles, but its lone visit last year it lost 2-1 despite outshooting the Kings 41-16.

Injuries: Wild C Tyler Graovac (groin) is out. Kings LW Dwight King (foot) is out and D Matt Greene (upper body) is questionable.

MICHAEL RUSSO