Pearson Scores in OT Again as LA Kings Squeak By Preds

Game 58; 34-20-4

NASHVILLE — The Los Angeles Kings wanted to end their road trip on a winning note and that is just what they did, edging the Nashville Predators 2-1 in overtime.

The Predators exploded out of the gate in this one as they controlled the early tempo by outshooting the Kings by a large margin. But the Kings hung in there, thanks mostly to Jonathan Quick who made 11 of his 33 saves in the first period.

Quick looked especially good considering the lack of discipline his team displayed throughout the night. In this one, the silver-and-black went to the box six times but were able to kill off five of the penalties.

On the scoring front, the Kings got things started at the 15:57 of the first.

There, Jake Muzzin snapped a point shot, his seventh, past a screened Pekka Rinne to give Los Angeles the early lead. Dwight King and Nick Shore had the assists.

The Preds, however, were able to tie it late in the second as Ryan Ellis tucked his seventh past Quick to bring Bridgestone Arena to life again. The goal came with just under 27 seconds remaining in the first from James Neal and Mike Fisher.

There wasn’t a ton of momentum for either side for much of the game but the Kings were able to pick up the pace late. Unfortunately for them, they weren’t able to score.

Then, in overtime, Tanner Pearson sniped his eighth stick-side past Pekka Rinne to win it for the Kings — his second OT-winner of the road trip. The goal, assisted by Alec Martinez, came just 1:18 into the extra frame, improving the Kings to 9-2 in overtime this season.

For the Kings, their season-long road trip is bookended by victories as they finish the trip at a modest 3-3-1. Now, the Kings head home for a while when they next host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night.