What we learned from the Kings’ 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild

Here are a few more takeaways after the Kings were held scoreless for the third time this season. The other two times were in the third game of the season, against Vancouver on Oct. 13, and at Toronto on Dec. 19.

Upcoming divisional games looming large

With the Kings’ loss and the Sharks’ victory on Thursday, San Jose pulled within 10 points of the first-place Kings in the Pacific Division race.

Because of that, there is added focus on this weekend. The Kings play at San Jose on Sunday, following Saturday night’s game against another division rival, Arizona.

Kings forward Tyler Toffoli, who was held off the score sheet for the first time in five games, brought that up after the loss to Minnesota, in terms of the Kings controlling their destiny.

“It was about us, our room, what we can bring as a team. We know what we can bring,” Toffoli said. “We’ve got big games coming up here before the [All-Star] break, and we’ve got to be ready to go.”

All good streaks must come to an end …

Minnesota closed the book on several Kings’ streaks, most notably center Anze Kopitar, who had been on an excellent run since the Christmas break. Kopitar had points in the last five games and 11 of the last 12 before the loss to the Wild.

Kopitar, who had two assists against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night, has 20 points since the Christmas break. Since back-to-back minus games (vs. Toronto and San Jose in December), Kopitar has not had a single minus game until Thursday.

He was a minus-two against the Wild, as was defenseman Jake Muzzin. Muzzin’s career-high point streak, of eight games, ended. He was last held without a point on Dec. 31 at Calgary.

Respect for what Jarret Stoll meant to the organization

Kings Coach Darryl Sutter said that the video tribute and standing ovation during a stoppage of play in the first period for the Wild’s Jarret Stoll, who won two Stanley Cups with the Kings, was “awesome” and “well-deserved.”

Said Toffoli: “It was great. Stollie played here for seven years, eight years, whatever it was. A great guy, a great leader. I looked up to him when he was here, and I’m happy for him.”

The Wild were equally impressed.

“It was pretty special,” defenseman Ryan Suter said. “It was a great showing of respect. He’s a great guy. He’s always upbeat and easygoing, and he’s won. Everyone knows he’s won, and that commands so much respect.”