Game 75: Predators 4, Kings 3 (overtime)

Quincey injured, Frolov gone, Stoll out for the season... The horizon is getting darker for the Kings' playoffs hopes, as they seem destined to miss the postseason for the sixth straight season, the longest in franchise history.

Not that the Kings didn't battle in this game. L.A. scored first on Brian Boyle's goal, the first regulation goal in quite some time, and continued on through the second period. But then, Nashville battled back to tie then take the lead. But instead of curling up into the fetal position, the Kings fought back, tying the game on a Jack Johnson goal to send it into over time.

I'm sorry, but that interference call on Anze Kopitar in overtime was complete Grade-A bullcrap. Seriously, even Nick and Daryl just shook their collective radio heads on that call. And the resulting power play for Nashville proved to be the backbreaker.

The Predators had fresher legs, which proved to be the difference in the game. Curse these late road games. Who do I have to kick in the shins for the Kings to be home more later in the season? Tim Leiweke, come out and get your whoopin'.

Yeah, the signs are overwhelming that the Kings are done. Even Yahoo has stopped running game photos after the Kings lost to St. Louis last Tuesday. I've had to search long and hard for anything to post with the game recaps.

Another sign? The bloggers' interest have all but evaporated, and I'm among them. I continue to watch every game, but it's hard to find new angles to cover. The areas where they have improved are promising, but until they actually score more... If the Kings continue to score two goals a game the rest of the way, they'll finish with 200 goals, the least amount in a decade. The last time they scored less was in 1998-99, when they only tallied 189.

• AP: Sullivan's overtime goal gives Predators comeback win

"It was nice since I had a little bit of nerves coming in, so it was good to help out right away," Brian Boyle said. "I think it deflected off of something and it was able to get up over his pad."

• LAKINGS.com's Royal Road Report: Johnson forces OT

You've got to keep going, these are playoff kind of games for us," said Kings coach Terry Murray. "Playing against a team like Nashville, they're showing their best and you have to be able to handle the intensity and the work and the pace of the game. When you learn how to work that way on a consistent basis it's going to help you as you get to grow and to become a team next year.

• Yahoo: Team report

Much of the Kings’ recent struggles can be pinned to a lack of success on the power play. The Kings had only two power-play chances Saturday and did not score a goal. The Kings are now 0-for-12 on the power play in their last three games (0-2-1 record).

They said it

“I really like what we have been doing in third periods lately. We’ve been battling, finding ways to win games, to tie up games to get them to an overtime situation, and tonight was another example of that.”—Kings coach Terry Murray after Saturday’s overtime loss at Nashville.

Looking through purple-hued goggles

• A Queen Among Kings: 36%: Predators 4, Kings 3 (OT)

36% IN THE FACEOFF CIRCLE!!!!!!

From across the aisle, the Nashville view

• Tennessean.com: Another rally gets Predators a much-needed win

So there was at least some reason to believe the Predators' evening might not be as taxing as some of their previous games.
That didn't prove to be the case. The Kings, despite playing their sixth straight road game, jumped on the Predators early, scored first and even led 2-1 going into the third period.

• On the Forecheck: Preds crown Kings in OT, 4-3

When they gave up a tying goal with just 1:04 left in regulation, the Nashville Predators had reason to fear a major detour on the road to the playoffs. A Steve Sullivan goal in overtime sealed the win, however, lifting them into 7th place in the West in front of a sellout crowd at the Sommet Center.

Peeping the dailies