Kings-Predators: Both teams scoreless after first period

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The Kings and Predators remain at 0-0 after the first period, with Nashville finishing with six shots and the Kings finishing with eight.

Though Kings Coach Terry Murray has liked that his team entered today’s game holding opponents to a combined 13 power plays in the last four games, he also thought of it as a ‘Catch-22’ scenario. Fewer power play opportunities also mean fewer chances to perfect the penalty-kill effort.

Well, the Kings got the opportunity. Defenseman Drew Doughty was assessed a two-minute penalty for tripping at 12:08, and the Kings are now 25-of-28 in penalty kills in their last nine games, including this one.

Nashville defenseman Dan Hamhuis was called for hooking at 18:54 and winger Martin Erat was called for slashing at 19:57. Though the Kings didn’t convert on the power play in the first period, they enter the second period with a two-man advantage.

-- Mark Medina