(Sports Network) - A pair of teams on three-game losing streaks will battle for a victory tonight, as the Minnesota Wild visit the Washington Capitals for an interconference matchup at the Verizon Center.

Both teams are also fighting for first place in their respective divisions. Minnesota has 73 points and is one behind Calgary for the Northwest Division lead, while the Caps' 64 points leaves them five in back of Southeast-leading Carolina.

The Wild's most recent setback came in Sunday's key divisional battle against the visiting Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff made 38 saves to lead Calgary to the 2-1 decision at Xcel Energy Center. With the win, Calgary leap-frogged Minnesota in the Northwest standings.

Mark Parrish tallied for the Wild and Mikko Koivu picked up an assist. Niklas Backstrom stopped 14 shots in the loss and fell to 23-11-4 on the season.

Tonight's test marks the opener of a three-game road trip for the Wild, who are 16-13-2 as the visitor this season. Minnesota will also visit Tampa Bay and Florida during this swing.

In addition to losing three straight contests, the Capitals have also been defeated in five of six and six of their last eight outings as well.

Washington's latest setback came in Sunday's close loss to the visiting New Jersey Devils. John Madden's goal with 50 seconds left in overtime lifted Jersey to the 2-1 decision at the Verizon Center

Alexander Semin tallied for the Capitals, while Brent Johnson made 29 stops in the loss. Semin has tallied in five straight games to post the league's longest current goal-scoring streak.

Alex Ovechkin also added an assist in the loss and moved into a tie with Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin for the league lead in points. Ovechkin, who leads the NHL with 48 goals, has 82 points on the year.

The Capitals are 15-13-3 as the host this year and have dropped four of their last five tests on home ice. Washington is playing the second of two straight at home tonight and will play on the road Friday in New Jersey.

Minnesota has won four straight and five of the last six meetings with the Capitals. Tonight's test marks the Wild's first stop in D.C. since posting a 4-3 win in the nation's capital on November 21, 2002.