Sixty-six seconds was all it took to turn what was looking like a decent effort by the
For the moment.
Nashville scored on consecutive shots, in a span of 66 seconds, as the Predators defeated the Kings, 2-1, at
The Kings, whose lone goal was scored on the power play by center
"Obviously a tough loss," said Kings center Anze Kopitar said. "I don't think we managed the puck good enough, especially coming out of our zone to make plays and really set up some chances on the rush or to have some [offensive] zone time.
"We have to be better with that in the next game.
This one was especially difficult to handle for the Kings because it didn't start to unravel until the third period, in a chain reaction of mishaps. First off, Kings rookie center Nick Shore was penalized for delay of game — a faceoff violation — and the Predators converted on the power play at 6:37.
Defenseman
The Predators scored on their very next shot — with help from Muzzin.
"Any game at this time of year is tough to lose and the points are important," Kings forward
"It was a hard-fought game. They're a big physical team and they move the puck really well. As far as momentum goes, I think they kind of built on it in the second period where we got sloppy with the puck."
The Kings were without center
Does the injury mean a recall of center
Not yet, Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi said, via email.
Still, they were one period away from winning Saturday night. Kopitar addressed the series of events in the third period but admitted he didn't think they played well enough to win.
Kopitar and his wife Ines became parents for the first time with Ines giving birth shortly after midnight to a girl, Neza. He hasn't slept much since the team returned from Vancouver and reported that everyone in the family is doing well after the long last few days.
"Once you come here, you try to put everything behind you and focus on the game. Then they remind you in the middle of the third period," Kopitar said of the pictures of him and his wife and baby on the video board at Staples Center.
"It's not the easiest thing to do, but I wanted to be here for the guys. Actually, it was Ines that told me to go and play. I wanted to go, but she said, 'I know you're going to be itching in the hospital watching. You might as well go. You're not going to be here with me. Just go and do your thing.'
"Obviously, she's the best. She's definitely a trouper."
Twitter: @reallisa