NHL: Los Angeles 5, Minnesota 2

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Alexander Frolov produced two goals Thursday, one of them coming during a three-score opening period that sent Los Angeles roaring past Minnesota 5-2.

The Kings scored the game's first four goals and handed the Wild only their second home loss in eight games.

Los Angeles snapped a four-game losing streak, each of those losses having been by one goal.

Brad Richardson, Frolov and Ryan Smyth gave the Kings their big first-period lead and Jonathan Quick made 27 saves.

Niklas Backstrom allowed four goals on 28 shots and had a three-start winning streak come to an end.