Kings Vs. Wild Final Score: Minnesota Sends Los Angeles Home With 4-3 Shootout Loss

The Minnesota Wild won their second straight game against a playoff contender when they handed the Los Angeles Kings a key loss, 4-3 in an overtime shootout.

Minnesota center Erik Christensen scored midway through the third period to tie the game and eventually went to a shootout where Christensen and Mikko Koivu scored to earn the win after Niklas Backstrom stymied Justin Williams and Mike Richards from the Kings.

Christensen also assisted on Nick Johnson's first period goal which had the Wild up 2-1 early in the first period. Brad Richardson put the Kings up in the second period with his second goal which set up the comeback win for the Wild. The loss was key for the Kings as they slipped into a tie with Phoenix for the Pacific Division lead heading into the final week of the regular season.

Minnesota faces another playoff team Sunday night when they play at the Chicago Blackhawks.

For more on the Minnesota Wild, check out Hockey Wilderness. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.

Niklas Backstrom In Net Vs. Kings, Marco Scandella Out

The Minnesota Wild are playing spoiler at this point, but they are still hoping to finish as strongly as they started the season. Injuries have been a major theme to their downfall, but they are at least happy to have their starting goaltender back.

Niklas Backstrom returned on the Wild's March 29 win against the Florida Panthers and will start in net again tonight against the Los Angeles Kings, according to the team:

Backstrom will start tonight for #mnwild against @lakings. Foster in for Scandella (day-to-day, upper body injury) @fsnorth, @kfan1003

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 31, 2012

Backstrom missed almost a month of action due to a lower body injury.

As the tweet says, defenseman Marco Scandella will be out of action tonight and Kurtis Foster will take his place.

For more on the Minnesota Wild, check out Hockey Wilderness. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.

Kings Vs. Wild: Minnesota Can Play Spoiler Against Los Angeles

Wild look to finish season strong.