Wild at Kings
With a playoff berth already secured, the Los Angeles Kings attempt to improve their standing when they continue their season-ending three-game homestand Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Los Angeles, which has won three straight at home and is 3-0-1 in its last four overall, was idle Wednesday but still clinched a trip to the postseason as a result of St. Louis' loss to Chicago.
The Kings, who began the homestand with Monday's 3-1 triumph over Colorado, trails Anaheim by one point for third place in the Pacific Division and San Jose by two for the second spot while leading the Avalanche by three for the first wild card in the Western Conference. Minnesota kicked off its season-ending three-game California trip Wednesday, when it dropped a 3-1 decision to the Ducks. The Wild, who are locked into third place in the Central, are 0-2-1 in their last three on the road. Defenseman Matt Dumba scored for Minnesota, which wraps up the regular season Saturday in San Jose.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS North Plus (Minnesota), FS West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE WILD (44-26-10): Jonas Brodin helped set up Dumba's goal Wednesday, giving him an assist in three contests in a row. The 24-year-old Swedish defenseman is five points shy of matching the career high of 25 he set last season and one away from 100 for his career. Zach Parise was kept off the scoresheet Wednesday, ending his seven-game point streak (seven goals, two assists) and three-game goal-scoring run during which he tallied five times.
ABOUT THE KINGS (44-28-8): Los Angeles does not expect to have Derek Forbort back in the lineup after the defenseman exited Monday's contest with a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old, who is a native of Minnesota, set a career high of 17 assists this season and matched the personal best of 18 points he recorded last campaign. Captain Anze Kopitar is riding a four-game point streak during which he has collected two goals and three assists.
OVERTIME
1. Kings D Drew Doughty, who also notched 59 points in 2009-10, needs one to set a career high.
2. Minnesota will face Winnipeg or Nashville in the first round of the playoffs.
3. Los Angeles concludes the regular season Saturday against Dallas.