Frolov’s back, but Kings aren’t

The question hung in the air for the last three weeks or so, concerning the injury status of the player fondly known as Fro, Kings forward Alexander Frolov.

Should Fro stay or should he go?

That was answered Saturday night as Frolov returned to the lineup after sitting out 11 games because of a groin injury and showed few signs of rust.

His return may have given his teammates a nominal lift, but it did nothing to change the bigger picture as Minnesota defeated the Kings, 2-1, at Staples Center before 16,648, many of whom vented their displeasure.

Wild backup goalie Josh Harding was 1 minute 12 seconds from recording his second shutout of the season when the Kings finally broke through. Defenseman Rob Blake scored off a deflection in front, after the Kings had pulled goalie J.S. Aubin for an extra attacker. It was his second goal of the season.

Too little, too late.

The Kings’ habit of falling behind early continued with Minnesota star Marian Gaborik scoring just 3:38 into the first period, on the Wild’s first shot.

Brian Rolston’s second-period goal, coming during a two-man advantage, provided a cushion for the Wild, playing its second game in two nights.

“They’re a great team when they’re playing with the lead,” said Kings center Michal Handzus. “We had chances. But we’re not playing for chances. We’re playing for goals. It wasn’t enough.”

The Kings have lost three consecutive games and have won just twice in the last nine, and most of the questions being asked by increasingly agitated Kings fans are not about whether Frolov is ready. The message boards and e-mails flooding inboxes have more to do with the job security of Coach Marc Crawford.

Should he stay or should he go?

The fan consensus? Two guesses.

The Internet age, and high ticket prices, do not exactly go hand in hand with patience.

Patience, already thin, was stretched even more when the Kings went 0 for 8 on the power play, and they were booed midway through the third when they had difficulty even setting up in the Wild zone after Minnesota defenseman Martin Skoula had gone off for delay of game, at 10:25.

One of the best chances the Kings had early did not come at even strength or on the power play. It was a short-handed effort from Handzus, one of the few forwards putting together complete games on a consistent basis.

Handzus took advantage of a Kim Johnsson turnover and got free on a breakaway. He attempted to beat Harding up high, but Harding stopped him with a glove save at 10:38 of the first period.

Before Blake broke through, the Kings had a flurry of chances in the third period, including a bid from Frolov at about the five-minute mark that went just wide.

Frolov, who said he has felt truly healthy in just one game this season, was a plus-one and had two shots on goal, playing 15 minutes 57 seconds.

“It felt OK. It’s always hard when you get back after an injury,” Frolov said. “I tried. I know I’m probably not in great shape right now. The way to get back is to work hard and do your best every shift.

“It was a tough game when we lose, especially with a loss like this. I think we played hard. We have to make sure we’re going to do better on Monday.”

Said Handzus, of Frolov: “We always miss him, but you cannot look at injuries, cannot look at anything. We’ve got to stick together and play better, for sure.”

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com