Linemates Kopitar and O'Sullivan are leading the Kings on ice time. But both have a shot each.

I'm starting to think this will be a case of payback for Nashville. Back on October 23, the Kings shut out Mason and the Predators, 6-0. That was an ugly game for Nashville, and I'm sure they remember that.

Bailey the mascot is parked below the press box, and I've now lost interest in the game. The Kings could be out-hitting the Predators, and causing blood to spill across the ice. And I'd still be watching that stupid lion. It's been half a season, and he's starting to grow on some of the fans. And if he'd stop stirring up the fans directly beneath me, I could concentrate on the game. Then again, the outcome to this game is already predetermined. I might as well try and get a t-shirt from one of the Kings Crew.

The Kings have 15 shots so far, but none real good chances past Mason. Guess his bid for a shutout will remain. (Yes, I am trying to jinx Mason. Why not? I'm not cheering in the press box)

Ivanans tries to stir something up, but no one was biting, and he heads to the box for two minutes to think about what he's done. The Preds then come out and Dumont scores to make it 6-0. That's right, the exact score back in October. Then, they come right back and put one past Aubin, this time by Ortmeyer.

I'm half expecting the Kings to start an all-out brawl. But it seems they just don't have their A-game tonight. I can already hear the callers tonight. Maybe I'll stick to jazz or classical music on the ride home. Honestly, this is quite possibly the worst I've seen the Kings play.

Final score: Predators 7, Kings 0

Posted by Matt Murray at 9:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Aubin skates out to play the puck and try to help the Kings get going. But his pass goes awry, and Nichol skates in and beats Aubin glove-side for his second of the season.

After that, Crawford juggles the line, putting Kopitar on a line with Frolov and Nagy for a shift. Armstrong is paired with Willsie and Calder. Crawford's trying everything he can to jump-start L.A.

De Vrie gets whistled for interference, as the Kings only bright spot takes to the ice. However, they can't get anything going.

Nashville scores again, illiciting more boo-birds from the crowd. Aubin fails to cover up the puck from Erat. There is a rush around the goal, and it looks like it was kicked in. But it's by Blake. The Kings protest, but it stands.

A "Fire Crawford" starts up in the nosebleeds, but I'm not sure that's the answer. Then again, if I knew what the answer is, I'd head down to Toyota Sports Center tomorrow and tell someone. "Pssst, the reason why you guys are losing is because you are tying your skates up all wrong. Plus, you need to eat a half a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk before the game."

The Kings start pumping the puck on the net, and have almost caught up with them. Nashville is in a defensive bubble, so they are just playing safe.

Frolov and O'Sullivan are centered by Kopitar, who is getting a ton of ice time.

Ortmeyer gets called for a penalty, but once again, the Kings are empty. When Nashville kills the penalty, more boos are heard. As time winds down, the crowd is getting more and more bitter. This has been ugly.

Second period: Predators 5, Kings 0

Posted by Matt Murray at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Predators and the Kings are smack dab in the middle of the pack when it comes to goals scored. But L.A. is second to last in goals against. Yikes.

Nashville looks a little tired, after playing in Anaheim, but are still able to play a good defensive game early in the period. Forechecking, tipping passes away, and spending time in the Kings' zone. The only line that has maintained any time in the Preds' zone is the top line.

Darcy Hordichuk scores his first of the season (!) when he shoots a Nichol rebound off LaBarbera. And less than thirty seconds later, Arnott sends the Kings reeling, when he shoots a juicy rebound past Jason for the Predators' second goal. A chorus of boos echo as the teams line up for the faceoff.

Then, less than a minute later, LaBarbera is chased from the game, when Legwand knocks in another rebound to make it 3-0. The boos turn to jeers when LaBarbera is replaced by Aubin. Labs allowed three goals on seven shots, which effectively takes the Kings out of this game.

Wanna hear something scary? Every time the Predators scored, an entirely different line has been out there. Only three Nashville players have a plus/minus of 0.

The Kings look unfocused after those rat-a-tat goals from their opponents.

Willsie gets called for holding, putting the league's second-worst penalty-kill out on the ice. The Kings may be near the top on the power-play, but it's apples and oranges. The Kings are able to kill the penalty. The Preds miss on a golden chance, as the puck sails behind Aubin to the side.

Every time Aubin makes a save, Kings fans over-applaud out of frustration. The team has definately come out flat in the first.

First period: Predators 3, Kings 0

Posted by Matt Murray at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As I was walking up to Staples Center tonight, I noticed it's back to being illuminated in blue. I always hate when they switch it to green for the holidays. Blech.

The Kings need to win tonight. I mean, they need to win every game. But they need to put a notch in the W column, because if they don't, it'll be three in a row. And everyone knows what that's called.

Dustin Brown is playing tonight, thankfully. He's a warrior. He'll be on the top line with Kopitar and O'Sullivan, with Blake and Johnson on defense. LaBarbera starts in goal.

Posted by Matt Murray at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)