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Wild seeking third straight win vs. lowly Kings

Mar 2, 2008 - 2:07 PM Los Angeles (26-36-4) at Minnesota (36-24-5) 7:00 pm EST

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) - The Minnesota Wild aim to move back into first place in the Northwest Division on Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Kings.

Minnesota enters the contest tied with Calgary atop the division.

Defenseman Brent Burns scored the game-winner and set up another goal as the Wild defeated the Florida Panthers, 3-2, on Friday for their second straight win.

Burns' tally ended his nine-game goal scoring drought. The 22-year-old has 11 tallies and 33 points on the season.

The Kings, who own the NHL's worst record, are hoping to avoid their fourth straight loss.

Los Angeles is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, which was marred by Colorado left wing Ryan Smyth getting carted off the ice on a stretcher.

In the waning moments of the second period, Smyth was driven face-first into the boards by Kings rookie defenseman Jack Johnson. Smyth, who stayed on the ice for several minutes before being placed on a stretcher, was conscious and walking in the locker room before being taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.

"He's a great player for them and it's unfortunate. He hit the turnbuckle there," Johnson said. "I don't want to hurt anyone out there. I was trying to play hard and pinch him off and get the puck, and he ended up getting pushed right into the turnbuckle."