Minnesota at Los Angeles

This is a tough situational spot for the visitors, who played last night. The Minnesota Wild won at Arizona, 4-3, handing the Coyotes their first defeat. It was a hard fought game and they continue their three-game road trip tonight with no rest. In fact they open the season playing four of five away. They face a desperate L.A. Kings team that has talent but no wins. The Kings are 5-1 playing on two days rest, plus 19-7 at home against a team with a road winning percentage of greater than .600. The L.A. Kings are opening the season with a nice five-game homestand. Los Angeles won two of its three meetings last season with Minnesota, including the lone contest at Staples Center last October, 2-1, as Los Angeles held the Wild scoreless on five power plays. The L.A. Kings skate away with this one.