Predators 4, Kings 3 (SO)
James Neal scored the only goal in the sixth round of the shootout as Nashville edged visiting Los Angeles for its seventh win in nine games.
Craig Smith collected a goal and an assist while Eric Nystrom and defenseman Ryan Ellis also scored for the Predators, who improved to 8-1-1 at home. Colin Wilson chipped in with two assists and Pekka Rinne turned aside 18 shots before stopping Dwight King on the Kings’ final try in the bonus format to end it.
Marian Gaborik registered a goal and an assist while defensemen Drew Doughty and Jamie McBain also tallied for the Kings, who are 0-1-1 in the first two contests of a three-game road trip. Martin Jones made 30 saves in his fourth start of the season and is 1-2-1.
Smith zipped up the middle and accepted Wilson’s pass from the left wing boards in stride for a breakaway goal 6:24 into the contest and McBain scored on a deflection to tie it 5:08 later. Gaborik tracked down a looping feed from Jeff Carter before his quick wrist shot beat Rinne 61 seconds into the second session.
Ellis beat Jones with a one-timer from the right circle with 2:24 left in the second and Taylor Beck’s turnaround shot was deflected in by Nystrom 52 seconds later to give Nashville a 3-2 lead. Doughty went coast to coast to even the score 38 seconds into the third and the Predators killed two penalties in the final 7:37 of regulation.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Nashville D Shea Weber became the franchise leader in assists (223) for a defenseman, passing Kimmo Timonen, after helping set up Nystrom’s goal. … Gaborik has accumulated seven points over his last eight games after managing just one in the first six of the campaign. … Doughty has logged at least 30 minutes of ice time in eight of the last 10 games, including 33:40 on Tuesday.