Kings Soar To 5th In West With Win Over Wild

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Drew Doughty scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Wayne Simmonds had two goals, and the Los Angeles Kings returned from a 10-game road trip with a 4-2
victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.

Jonathan Bernier made 25 saves and Anze Kopitar scored a 170-foot short-handed empty-net goal with 1:14 to play for the surging Kings in their first home game since Jan. 26.

After a late defensive stand ensured their 10th win in 14 games, the Kings edged ahead of Minnesota for fifth place in the bunched Western Conference standings with 72 points to the Wild's 70.

Brent Burns had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who have lost four of six.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)