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Kings aim to stay hot against Wild

Dec 11, 2010 - 3:51 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Kings will try to keep their December hot streak going tonight, when they welcome the Minnesota Wild for a battle at the Staples Center.

The Kings had lost seven of eight to close last month and ended November on a four-game losing streak, but Los Angeles has recorded victories in its first three games of December.

All three victories have come on home ice and the Kings, who are 11-2-0 in LA this year, are ending a four-game homestand this evening.

Los Angeles has also won every game on its current streak by just one goal. The last victory came Thursday against Calgary as Jonathan Quick made 26 saves and the Kings held on for the 2-1 decision.

Kyle Clifford and Anze Kopitar scored goals and the Kings earned just their second win in the last 10 meetings with Calgary.

"For whatever reason they were just tough to play against," said Kopitar, "but tonight I thought we gave a great effort for 60 minutes and we got the job done."

Kings forward Brad Richardson left Thursday's game with an upper-body injury and is questionable for tonight. Richardson has more career goals (5) and points (10) against Minnesota than any other team he has faced.

The Wild were able to end a five-game skid their last time out, downing the Phoenix Coyotes in the desert on Thursday. It was the third straight game with a point for Minnesota, which is 1-0-2 in its last three.

Andrew Brunette scored two goals to help lift the Wild to the 3-2 victory over the Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena.

Brent Burns also scored while Antti Miettinen notched a pair of assists for the Wild, who are in the midst of a four-game road trip which will continue against the Kings on Saturday. Minnesota is 5-5-2 as the visiting team this season.

Niklas Backstrom made 33 saves in the win -- Minnesota's first since November 26.

"Hopefully it gives us a little positive energy and a little spark and we keep rolling," said Brunette.

Minnesota did lose one of its leading scorers in Thursday's win as Matt Cullen suffered a groin injury and did not return. Cullen, who is questionable for tonight, is third on the Wild with 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists) this season.

The Kings notched a 3-2 shootout victory in Minnesota back on Oct. 25, giving LA seven wins in the last nine meetings with the Wild. Minnesota has lost four of its last six in the City of Angels, but the clubs have split the last eight encounters at the Staples Center.