Predators 2, Kings 1
Craig Smith and Viktor Stalberg scored 1:06 apart in the third period as visiting Nashville regained sole possession of first place in the Central Division.
Pekka Rinne finished with 23 saves to record his 200th career victory for the Predators, who have won two of three following a six-game skid. Nashville joined the New York Rangers, Montreal and Anaheim with a league-best 93 points in the race for the Presidents' Trophy heading into Sunday's road game versus the Ducks.
Jeff Carter scored his team-leading 24th goal - and sixth in seven contests - for Los Angeles, which suffered its first regulation loss in six outings (4-1-1) and fell behind Winnipeg in the race for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Jonathan Quick turned aside 21 shots to fall to 2-7-2 in his career versus the Predators.
After Smith forged a tie, Nashville claimed the lead at 7:43 of the third period as Stalberg wristed a shot from along the left-wing boards that Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin inadvertently deflected off the crossbar and into the net. Stalberg's first goal of the season stood up as the winner, with Rinne stopping all seven shots in the session.
Defenseman Andrej Sekera's shot from the point was blocked by Nashville blue-liner Ryan Ellis, but the puck caromed right to Carter for an easy conversion in the slot to open the scoring 7:44 into the first period. The slim advantage held up until 6:37 into the third, as Smith chipped home a loose puck for his 22nd goal to pull into a tie with James Neal for the team lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The win was Nashville's 600th in franchise history. ... Carter has collected 13 goals and nine assists in 19 career games versus the Predators. ... Smith's power-play goal was Nashville's first in its last 19 opportunities. ... Neal (upper body) sat out the game and is listed as day-to-day.