Gameday: Wild at Los Angeles

Preview: The Wild's five-game road trip ends in Los Angeles, where it lost its first game of the season on Oct. 16 (a 4-3 shootout loss) after starting 5-0. Minnesota swept the Kings last season, outscoring them 12-5 in four games. Los Angeles, which has lost two in a row, has the NHL's worst record at 12-18-2 and has surrendered the NHL's second-most goals (107).

Players to watch: Wild C Eric Belanger was drafted by the Kings in the fourth round in 1996. C Pavol Demitra and LW Mark Parrish also played with L.A. LW Brian Rolston scored five goals against the Kings last season. Demitra has 32 points in 32 games against L.A. and RW Marian Gaborik has 22 points in 21 games. Kings C Patrick O'Sullivan is a former Wild draft pick, while D Rob Blake has 21 points in 33 games against the Wild. F's Anze Kopitar and Mike Cammalleri have combined for 29 goals.

Numbers: The Wild is 4-1-1 in the second of back-to-back games. ... The Kings have the eighth-ranked power play but are ranked 28th on the penalty kill, killing only 77.2 percent of opposing power plays.

Injuries: Kings LW Alexander Frolov (groin), G Jason LaBarbera (ribs) and LW Ladislav Nagy (hip flexor) are day-to-day. Wild D/W Petteri Nummelin (head/nose) is available. C Mikko Koivu (fibula) is out.

TV note: Tonight's game will not be aired by local TV, but it will be available on NHL Center Ice and HDNet.

MICHAEL RUSSO