Saros Blanks the Kings as Forsberg Delivers Twice
The Los Angeles Kings threw more pucks at the net than Nashville did. They still never beat Juuse Saros, and the Predators left with a 3-0 win.
The Kings had the puck heading toward the Nashville goal more often. They outattempted the Predators 63-51 in shot attempts, which counts every shot taken whether it hits the net, misses or gets blocked. Nashville's skaters blocked 21 of them. Saros stopped all 28 shots that reached him. His 2.98 goals saved above expected (the goals an average goalie would have allowed on those shots, minus the goals he actually allowed) means he took away about three goals on his own.
Filip Forsberg made the difference at the other end. He scored two goals on three shots and also rang a shot off the post. Nils Hoglander set up both of his goals. Defenceman Adam Wilsby added the third goal, and Brady Skjei picked up an assist.
The Kings got nothing from the two power plays they drew. Nashville went scoreless on its four, but it didn't need them. Alex Laferriere and Mavrik Bourque each fired five shots without scoring.
The win keeps Nashville holding the West's first wild-card spot. Los Angeles stays 14th in the conference.
