Game 72; 44-23-5

NASHVILLE — Right from the start, it looked as if the Los Angeles Kings were going to have an off-night, and that is just what happened as they fell to the Nashville Predators by a 5-2 count.

After losing the first two meetings of the season, the Predators saved face in the rubber match that saw them jump out to a 3-0 lead. The Kings, though, winners of four-in-a-row, did make things interesting in the third by pulling to within a goal. Nashville, however, was too tough in the end as they snapped the Kings’ said win streak.

Photo credit: John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images

James Neal, Mike Fisher and Filip Forsberg all scored in the first to make it 3-0 for the Preds but Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez each scored in the third for Los Angeles to make things interesting. Ryan Johansen gave Nashville some insurance and Roman Josi potted an empty-netter to seal the deal for the home side.

As mentioned, it was an off night for the Kings but after winning four-straight games and riding a seven-game point streak, these nights are inevitable. After all, there shouldn’t be any shame in losing to a team as talented as the Predators. The loss, though, like any, is a tough one, and that was especially the case for Jonathan Quick.

After being named the NHL‘s Second Star of the Week, Quick allowed three goals early but was able to settle in as he made 24 saves. He was, however, given the third period off as it should be expected that he will start on Tuesday night.

Despite the loss, Anze Kopitar extended his point streak to six games with a pair of assists. He also now has 15 points in his last 11. Tanner Pearson and Rob Scuderi registered assists on Monday as well.

There is no time to swell for the Kings, though, as they travel to the Land of a Thousand Lakes for a Tuesday night matchup with the Minnesota Wild.