Predators at Kings
The Nashville Predators finally ignited a dormant power play in their last outing, however, the end result was a second straight loss and fourth in six contests. The Predators bid for better results on Thursday when they continue their three-game trek through California with a visit to the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center.
Filip Forsberg returned from a one-game absence due to an upper-body injury to net a pair of power-play goals in the third period of Tuesday's 3-2 setback to Anaheim, marking the first time Nashville has tallied twice in a game with the man advantage since December. Mikael Granlund, who was acquired at the trade deadline, set up both goals versus the Ducks and scored in each outing against the Kings earlier this season while playing for Minnesota. While Nashville sits one point behind Central Division-leading Winnipeg, Los Angeles resides comfortably in the basement in the Western Conference following a dismal 1-9-4 stretch before posting a 3-2 win at Anaheim on Sunday in The Freeway Faceoff. Carl Grundstrom provided a rare bright spot for the Kings by scoring his second goal in his second NHL game.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, FS Tennessee (Nashville), FS West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (39-27-5): Reigning Vezina Trophy recipient Pekka Rinne is keeping a positive attitude despite answering a three-game winning streak by permitting 17 goals in his last five outings (2-3-0). "You want to win all the games, you want to be playing your best hockey as an individual and as a team, no question about it," the 36-year-old Rinne said. "Everybody knows individually we can be better, and as a team we can be better. It gives us time, but there's still bigger and better things ahead of us." Rinne improved to 15-7-5 in his career versus Los Angeles after turning aside 53 of 57 shots in the season series.
ABOUT THE KINGS (25-36-8): While defenseman Drew Doughty isn't receiving a favorable plus/minus rating (minus-29), he has registered six of his club-best 34 assists in his last six games. Captain Anze Kopitar has failed to add to his team-leading totals in goals (19) and points (48) after being held off the scoresheet in four consecutive contests and eight of his last 10 overall. Former captain Dustin Brown has picked up the slack with five goals and six points in his last nine games.
OVERTIME
1. Prior to Sunday's result, Los Angeles had allowed at least three goals in each game since sustaining a 2-1 loss in Nashville on Feb. 21.
2. Predators captain Roman Josi has collected one goal and three assists during both his four-game point streak and two games versus the Kings.
3. Los Angeles G Jonathan Quick owns a 5-11-2 mark in 19 career meetings with Nashville.