LOS ANGELES, April 5 (UPI) -- Jonathan Bernier made 22 saves to record a shutout Thursday and Los Angeles scored on its first two shots in downing Minnesota 3-0.
Minnesota lost its third in a row and fourth in five games after winning seven straight. The Wild not only dropped two points behind Vancouver in the race for the Northwest Division title but also fell behind Los Angeles into a tie with San Jose for fifth place in the Western Conference.
Justin Williams and Jeff Carter scored in the game's first 3:07 and after allowing two goals on as many shots Minnesota goaltender Niklas Backstrom was replaced by Darcy Kuemper. It was Kuemper's fifth appearance of the season and he surrendered one goal on 12 shots.
Williams produced his second goal of the game 3:52 into the second.
Bernier, in his fifth season as backup goaltender for the Kings, posted his first shutout of the year and the sixth of his career.
