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Wild still trying to end offensive funk

Dec 14, 2008 - 8:29 AM Minnesota (15-12-1) at Anaheim (16-11-3), 8:00 pm EST

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Wild are known for playing good team defense. However, they will need to score more goals to end their current slide.

The offensively inept Wild will try to end a four-game losing streak Sunday when they face the Anaheim Ducks.

Minnesota, which is concluding a four-game road trip, has managed just three goals over its current losing skid. It was no different Saturday, as the Wild's eight-game winning streak over the Los Angeles Kings was snapped with a 3-1 setback.

Niklas Backstrom made 40 saves for Minnesota, which has dropped four straight in regulation for first time since November 20-28, 2003. The Wild are a combined 1-for-9 on the power play during that stretch.

"I think we only had a couple of chances to score," Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire said. "That's not enough, that's not good effort. The guys practiced well and they had good energy, and then the game comes the next day and there's nothing."

The Ducks' offense certainly does not have much to brag about after its last performance.

Anaheim was shut out for the first time, suffering a 2-0 setback to the San Jose Sharks. Despite the loss, the Ducks have still won six of their last nine contests.