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PredDave · December 23rd, 2006, 12:27 PM

GAMEDAY: Preds host Kings, 7 PM

December 23, 2006

The Nashville Predators host the Los Angeles Kings tonight for the second of four meetings this season between the two clubs. Scott Hartnell, Jerred Smithson, Alexander Radulov and Kimmo Timonen all scored for Nashville and Chris Mason made 20 saves as the Predators downed the Kings 4-1 back on December 7 at STAPLES Center. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Nashville on the Kings' home ice. The Predators enter tonight's game unbeaten in their last three games (2-0-1) vs. the Kings in Music City. Nashville is 9-14-6 all-time vs. Los Angeles.

Game time is 7:00 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be ordered by purchasing online, calling 615-770-PUCK or visiting any Ticketmaster outlet. The action will not be televised locally but will be broadcast on WGFX 104.5-FM.

Los Angeles (12-19-5) enters tonight's game on the heels of a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues Thursday at the Scottrade Center. The Kings are 1-3-1 in their last five matches and goaltending has been a trouble spot. Dan Cloutier was the original No. 1 this season but his struggles have led head coach Marc Crawford to lean more on Mathieu Garon. Recently both of those netminders were on the shelf with injuries, forcing the Kings to temporarily call on a tandem of prospects, Barry Brust and Yutaka Fukufuji. Cloutier has returned to play in the last two Kings contests--both losses--and remains last in the NHL in both goals-against-average (3.82) and save percentage (.864). Fourth-year forward Alexander Frolov leads the Kings in scoring with 33 points (17g-16a) in 36 games.

Nashville (23-9-3) will be looking to rebound from its first loss in six games after falling 7-2 to the Buffalo Sabres at the GEC on Thursday. Forward Paul Kariya, who leads the Predators in scoring with 34 points (9g-25a), had a five-game point streak snapped vs. Buffalo. Team captain Kimmo Timonen posted an assist in the game for points in three straight contests.

Predators Notes: Thursday's loss to Buffalo was Nashville's first regulation home loss since opening night, Oct. 5. The Predators had gone 9-0-3 in their previous 12 at home... Thursday's game marked the first time Nashville allowed more than four goals since Nov. 16, a 7-6 shootout loss to Minnesota... Martin Erat scored the first shorthanded goal of his career on Thursday. The tally was his first after 11 games without a goal... Nashville scored a power-play goal for the sixth straight game... Defenseman Kimmo Timonen assisted on Erat's goal and now has points in three straight games (1g-3a-4pts)... Steve Sullivan registered an assist and has six points (3g-3a) in the last five games... Jason Arnott, playing in his fourth game since returning from knee surgery, scored his first goal since Nov. 18 in Columbus... Thursday's loss ended Nashville's five-game win streak.

December 23rd, 2006, 12:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	GAMEDAY: Preds host Kings, 7 PM December 23, 2006 The Nashville Predators host the Los Angeles Kings tonight for the second of four meetings this season between the two clubs. Scott Hartnell, Jerred Smithson, Alexander Radulov and Kimmo Timonen all scored for Nashville and Chris Mason made 20 saves as the Predators downed the Kings 4-1 back on December 7 at STAPLES Center. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Nashville on the Kings' home ice. The Predators enter tonight's game unbeaten in their last three games (2-0-1) vs. the Kings in Music City. Nashville is 9-14-6 all-time vs. Los Angeles. Game time is 7:00 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be ordered by purchasing online, calling 615-770-PUCK or visiting any Ticketmaster outlet. The action will not be televised locally but will be broadcast on WGFX 104.5-FM. Los Angeles (12-19-5) enters tonight's game on the heels of a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues Thursday at the Scottrade Center. The Kings are 1-3-1 in their last five matches and goaltending has been a trouble spot. Dan Cloutier was the original No. 1 this season but his struggles have led head coach Marc Crawford to lean more on Mathieu Garon. Recently both of those netminders were on the shelf with injuries, forcing the Kings to temporarily call on a tandem of prospects, Barry Brust and Yutaka Fukufuji. Cloutier has returned to play in the last two Kings contests--both losses--and remains last in the NHL in both goals-against-average (3.82) and save percentage (.864). Fourth-year forward Alexander Frolov leads the Kings in scoring with 33 points (17g-16a) in 36 games. Nashville (23-9-3) will be looking to rebound from its first loss in six games after falling 7-2 to the Buffalo Sabres at the GEC on Thursday. Forward Paul Kariya, who leads the Predators in scoring with 34 points (9g-25a), had a five-game point streak snapped vs. Buffalo. Team captain Kimmo Timonen posted an assist in the game for points in three straight contests. Predators Notes: Thursday's loss to Buffalo was Nashville's first regulation home loss since opening night, Oct. 5. The Predators had gone 9-0-3 in their previous 12 at home... Thursday's game marked the first time Nashville allowed more than four goals since Nov. 16, a 7-6 shootout loss to Minnesota... Martin Erat scored the first shorthanded goal of his career on Thursday. The tally was his first after 11 games without a goal... Nashville scored a power-play goal for the sixth straight game... Defenseman Kimmo Timonen assisted on Erat's goal and now has points in three straight games (1g-3a-4pts)... Steve Sullivan registered an assist and has six points (3g-3a) in the last five games... Jason Arnott, playing in his fourth game since returning from knee surgery, scored his first goal since Nov. 18 in Columbus... Thursday's loss ended Nashville's five-game win streak.