Kings
continue OT magic, top Predators
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[October 28, 2016]
LOS ANGELES -- Working overtime
paid off again for the Los Angeles Kings.
Jeff Carter knocked home the winning shot with 29 seconds remaining,
lifting the Kings to a club-record fourth consecutive decision in an
extra session and a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on
Thursday night at Staples Center.
The Kings became the first team to win four games in a row in
overtime or a shootout since the Columbus Blue Jackets did so from
Dec. 9-16, 2014.
The last time the Kings played four overtimes in a row (Nov. 21-27,
2013), they finished 1-3.
"Just glad it went in," said Carter, who fielded a pass from Anze
Kopitar near the net before slipping the puck past Predators
goaltender Pekka Rinne. "It's been a little bit of a battle lately,
but nice play by (Kopitar) right off the draw, and 'Kopi' got loose
up top and (the puck) kind of bounced around some skates, and it
popped in."
Goalie Peter Budaj recorded 24 saves for the Kings (4-3-0) to win
his third straight start.
"Once again, I think urgency and (Budaj) has given a chance to win
games," said center Nic Dowd, who had two assists for Los Angeles,
as did defenseman Alec Martinez. "(Budaj) made a lot of crucial
saves and allowed our guys to remain in the game and give us a shot
in the second and third period."
Rinne stopped 42 shots for the Predators, who are 0-3-1 on the road,
2-4-1 overall.
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"There's always times when you win and everything goes your way,"
Predators defenseman Roman Josi said. "Sometimes you don't, but it
will all even itself out. All you can control is our effort, and I
liked that tonight. I know there are a lot of things we can do
better, but we can't get too frustrated (because) there is a lot of
season left."
Tyler Toffoli's goal at 1:41 of the third period knotted the score
at 2 apiece. Toffoli, who has two goals this season, scored 41
seconds after the Predators took a 2-1 advantage on a tally by
Viktor Arvidsson, who also had an assist. Arvidsson has four goals
on the season.
Nashville broke a scoreless contest in the second period when Craig
Smith rebounded his own miss and slapped a winner past Budaj at
10:56. It was Smith's second goal of the season.
However, the Kings tied the score later in the period on a power
play. Jake Muzzin gathered a pass from Dowd and fired a rocket from
just below the blue line past Rinne for his first goal this season
with 4:01 left in the second.
"I like their battle level in terms of coming back," said Kings
coach Darryl Sutter, referring to his club. "In the second period,
we were down one, tied it up going into the third and they scored
early (in the period). Killed a penalty on a bad line change and
blocked three or four shots there, that's huge."
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![](../images/102816pics/sports71.jpg)
Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) moves the puck against the
defense of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) during the
first period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A.
Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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The Predators were playing the second end of a back-to-back after a
6-1 drubbing Wednesday night at Anaheim. Rinne was lifted and
replaced by Marek Mazanec after giving up four second-period goals
against the Ducks.
Rinne, though, gave a solid effort against the Kings, turning back
several close encounters around the net until Los Angeles finally
broke through late in the second period.
"It's not coming easy right now as far as offense," Nashville coach
Peter Laviolette said. "The goals are hard to come by right now for
a lot of our guys, but I asked for a better effort and the guys gave
that tonight. In the end, we have to find points and continue to
push for that."
Nashville finished 0-for-4 on power-play opportunities. The Kings
were 1-for-3 with a man advantage.
The clubs registered eight shots on goal apiece in the opening
period before Los Angeles outshot Nashville 12-8 in the second
period. The Kings held a 20-8 edge in the third.
An announced sellout crowd of 18,230 attended.
NOTES: Nashville LW Filip Forsberg (5-0-4) has not lost a game in
regulation to Los Angeles in his career. ... The visa status of
Swedish G Anders Lindback, whom the Kings signed to professional
tryout, has not been cleared, but the team continues its efforts to
have the delay expedited, according to LAKingsInsider.com. ... The
Predators scratched D Matt Carle and LW Harry Zolnierczyk. D Matt
Greene, RW Teddy Purcell and C Jordan Nolan were unavailable for the
Kings. ... The teams meet again Dec. 22 in Nashville. ... Both clubs
resume play Saturday. The Predators visit the San Jose Sharks. The
Kings open on a two-game road swing at the St. Louis Blues. On
Sunday, they play the Chicago Blackhawks.
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