The Kings won the first two matchups by a combined score of 10-2. The trend would not continue.
“We didn’t work or compete hard enough,” captain Dustin Brown told LAKings.com.
The first period suggested a tight, low-scoring affair. 23 shots on goal between the teams resulted in a scoreless tie.
L.A. scored twice in the second period.
Kyle Clifford opened the scoring just over two minutes into the period. The assists went to Marco Sturm and Anze Kopitar. It was Kopitar’s 200th assist of his NHL career.
Jarrett Stoll scored on the power play to extend the lead. Ryan Smyth and, again, Kopitar got the helpers.
Colin Wilson put the puck in the net exactly one minute later to put Nashville on the board. Ryan Suter and Sergei Kostitsyn assisted on the power play tally.
An even strength goal by Marek Svatos knotted things up at two-all.
Two goals by Patric Hornqvist and a second by Kostitsyn put the game away for the Predators.
The Kings did not score again.
Jonathan Bernier made 23 saves in the loss. His career record against Nashville was 3-0 with 88 saves on 90 shots before this game.
This was Wayne Simmonds 200th game in the NHL, all with the Kings.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Kings
