Nashville Predators play the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center Monday night

March 3, 2013 |

Nashville Predators vs. Los Angeles Kings

Monday, March 4th, 2013 | 9:30pm (CT)
Los Angeles, CA | Staples Center

Los Angeles, CA – The Nashville Predators are seeking a win as their West Coast swing continues, with a visit to the defending Stanley Cup Champions Los Angeles Kings on Monday night.

The two teams wrap up their three-game 2012-13 regular season series at the Staples Center with the Predators in search of a season sweep after earning a 2-1 shootout victory on January 31st in Southern California and a 3-0 win at Bridgestone Arena on February 7th. The Kings are the only Western Conference team that the Predators have a winning record against on the road (14-10-3), but a losing record against at home (10-14-3).

NHL-Nashville Predators, Mike Fisher. (Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports)

In the team’s last visit out West, the Predators tied a club mark by scoring four times in an eight-round shootout to claim a 2-1 win. Gabriel Bourque, Craig Smith and Sergei Kostitsyn (shootout-deciding marker) all notched their first career shootout tallies, while Rinne stopped 23 shots in regulation and five-of-eight L.A. shooters.

Nashville Predators Forward Gabriel Bourque.

Bourque notched the game-winning goal in the February 7th matchup, and has three points (1g-2a) in five career games against the Kings. Patric Hornqvist was injured for both of the first two meetings between these clubs, but has 10 points (7g-3a) in 14 career games against L.A. Martin Erat has 27 points (6g-21a) in 38 career games against the Kings, Kostitsyn has eight points (2g-6a) in 11 career games against the Kings and Chris Mason has recorded five shutouts against Los Angeles – his highest total against any team.

The total includes his first career whitewash on January 13th, 2004. He has a 9-4-1 record with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage against L.A. in his career.

Rich Clune was claimed on waivers from Los Angeles on January 15th. During the 2009-10 campaign, he played his first 14 NHL regular season games (0g-2a, 26 PIM) – and four playoff contests (0g-0a, 5 PIM) – with the Kings, and was with the organization from 2006-13.

NHL – Nashville Predators Colin Wilson. (Photo by Don McPeak – USA TODAY Sports)

Last time out, Nashville lost in regulation to San Jose for just the second time in the last three seasons. Nashville was outshot 39-19, its largest shot deficit since Edmonton outshot Nashville 44-20 on March 20th, 2012. The Predators fell to 9-3-5 when scoring at least one goal. Gabriel Bourque scored the Predators first shorthanded goal since February 21st, 2012 vs.Vancouver (Sergei Kostitsyn) to move into a tie for first on the team in goals (5).

Kevin Klein took his first minor penalty since October 29th, 2011 vs. Anaheim – a span of 94 regular-season games. Rich Clune doled out a game-high six hits. He ranks among the League’s Top 20 in the category (52).

Pekka Rinne made a season-high 37 saves in Saturday’s game at San Jose. This marked the first time in regulation that the Predators did not win when Rinne made 35-or-more saves since December 26th, 2010. He was 25-0-3 in his last 28 games making 35-or-more saves. Since Rinne shut out the Kings on January 31st he has posted a 1.88 goals-against average and .929 save percentage while appearing in 15 of Nashville’s 16 games in that span.

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