LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Erik Ersberg came within about two minutes of his first shutout this season Saturday when the Los Angeles Kings recorded a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.
The only goal Ersberg allowed was scored by Brent Burns (power play) at 18:07 of the third period. In the third period, he was peppered by 17 of Minnesota's 34 shots.
Anze Kopitar (power play), Michal Handzus (power play) and Alexander Frolov (empty net) all scored once for the Kings, who have won three of their last four games.
Niklas Backstrom stopped 40-of-43 shots in the Wild's fourth straight loss.
Minnesota has scored just three goals in those games, and had won three straight and seven of eight against Los Angeles before Saturday's loss.
On the power play, Minnesota went 1-for-4, and the Kings went 1-for-5.
