L.A. Lull

The Los Angeles Kings are having trouble protecting the puck and preserving points for the playoff push. The team didn’t have to worry about looking after a lead last night on the road. The Kings dropped their third game in four tries (the fourth being a tie) Monday in Minnesota for their longest losing streak of the season. The Wild won 3-2 on a Martin Havlat slash midway through the third period to edge the Kings at Xcel Energy Center. Los Angeles is seventh in the tight Western conference, looking for their first playoff berth since 2002. Terry Murray has been toying with the Kings’ lineup lately. I am not sure this is the right time to signal adjustments.
Minnesota got goals from Owen Nolan and Brent Burns. Netminder Niklas Backstrom made 29 saves in the winning effort. Nolan’s goal at 1:19 in the second period provided the 1-0 Wild edge. Nolan backhanded a rebound through the legs of Kings’ goalie, Johnathan Quick. It was Nolan’s second straight game with a goal. The power play shot broke a scoreless tie and marked the fifth consecutive game Minnesota has notched a power play goal. Quick turned away 17-of-20 shots in defeat. Quick allowed Burns to beat him at 7:26 in the second with a nifty move at the left point. The wrist shot goal provided Minnesota a 2-0 lead and was Burns’ first in 29 games.
The Kings finally got on board at 7:13 in the middle stanza on one of Scott Parse’s two goals. Parse cut LA’s deficit to 2-1 with a blast past Backstrom from the blue line. Parse tied the game at 2-2 in the third period with another slap. Brad Richardson slid the puck to Parse at the 1:25 mark. The rookie right wing found the back of the net to keep the Kings alive on the ice. Richardson finished with a pair of assists. LA went on the power play for two minutes following Parse’s second strike, but could not convert another goal. The Kings are just 2 of 18 on power play opportunities in the last three games. Havlat’s game winner was too much for Quick to handle as the Wild took the lead for good at 7:38. Marek Zidlicky fed Havlat the pass and the Kings’ defense broke down to allow the Czech native an open look. LA pulled Quick late in the game, but Backstrom held strong in net to seal the victory for Minnesota. The crowns had opportunities to capitalize and put the puck in the net, but they failed to do so. Credit the Wild defense for a strong showing also. Backstrom wasn’t the only Minnesota player making diving stops in St. Paul.

Parting Points: NIT men’s final four is tonight.

Donovan McNabb to the Raiders is rumored.