Game 76: Kings 2, Predators 0

It's getting down to nervous time for Kings fans. Four losses in a row during this crucial stretch of games has many Kings fans scratching their heads.

"Weren't we fighting for fourth in the West like a month ago?" Yes Virginia, the Kings were firmly entrenched in the standings. Right before the Olympics, the Kings were one point behind Phoenix. But then... March happened.

After nine losses, including an overtime and a shootout loss, fans were brought back to reality. Their goals for average dropped precariously: from eighth (2.90) to dead last (2.27). Their goals against follows the same downward spiral: from 19th (2.66) to 27th (2.33.)

Many seemed to think that Quick, who had been on fire prior to the Olympics, had finally gotten "tired" from playing in so many games this season. How can you explain his save percentage is exactly the same after the Olympics as it was before (.907)?

It might also surprise fans that the Kings have improved on the power play (from 18.8 to 29.4) AND the penalty kill (from 80.0 to 82.6). Their game has actually gotten stronger as the season has progressed, they are just running into more focused teams.

One of those teams that has given the Kings fits the past two seasons has been the Nashville Predators. L.A. hasn't been able to solve the Predators this season yet, and they have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at them. The Preds are directly in front of the Kings in the standings, so getting two points would be huge.

Also adding to the drama of this must-win game was the decision to start goaltender Jonathan Bernier in net in place of the workhorse Jonathan Quick.

Starting out, the Kings were determined to chase this monkey from their backs. The Kings outshot the Predators, 18 shots to 8 in the first period. The top line of Anze Kopitar, Ryan Smyth and Justin Williams seemed finally in sync. Kopitar was especially fired up Tuesday night. Of the 31 shots the Kings had in the game, the top line had 15 of them, Kopitar had eight. He also was a monster in the circle, winning 83 percent of his faceoffs.

Bernier looked particularly strong, especially in the second period, when Nashville outshot L.A., 15-4. He made a tremendous stop on Shea Weber, who skated unhindered up the middle and rocketed a puck toward Bernier. But Bernier was able to get a pad on it and deflected it away. Keep in mind, it was Weber who shot the puck through the net during Team Canada's tournament matchup with Germany. You know the kid's got a gun. But Bernier picked up where the defense failed and kept the puck out of the net.

Scott Parse continues his hot hand, scoring on Pekka Rinne to give the Kings a 1-0 lead. Jeff Halpren finally registered a point with his new team. It only took 13 games. Sean O'Donnell sealed the game with a late goal, and continues to build his point lead over teammate Matt Greene. (You remember the Times' Helene Elliott and her note on the scoring race between Greene and O'Donnell.)

More importantly, Bernier gets the shutout, his first of his young NHL career, which consists of six games. Can he be as good as hyped? We'll see, as The Hammer reported last night that No. 45 and his .048 GAA (in two games, I know) are traveling back to L.A. The Kings also set a team record for road wins with 22, a feat that has stood since in was in fourth grade. (I just dated myself, I know.)

That sound you hear is the multitude of Kings' fans backing away from the ledge.

AP: Bernier gets first shutout as Kings top Predators

One day after being recalled from Manchester of the American Hockey League, Jonathan Bernier made 34 saves to record his first career shutout and lead the Kings to a 2-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.

LA Times: Plan B works for Kings

For a team that had become almost afraid to win, for players who were gripping their sticks too tightly, goaltender Jonathan Bernier was the perfect antidote Tuesday.

LA Kings: Bernier helps Kings get back on track

"It's been said before,’’ defenseman and alternate captain Matt Greene said. ``If you're at the end of a winning streak, you're winning games that you shouldn't. If you're at the end of a losing streak, you're maybe losing games you shouldn't.

NHL.com: Kings end drought vs. Predators with 2-0 win

"The one of Weber in the third period, that's a world-class save," O'Donnell said. "That's a guy who is about as dangerous on the point as you want. He had the top corner, but [Bernier] made a great play. He's poised and confident back there."

They said it

“Our special teams haven’t been doing well, but to get a big boost out of [Bernier] tonight and get this win, especially against these guys, when we’re battling them for a spot, I think this game was huge for us. He did a great job.” - Matt Greene, on ending the winless streak.

“Other than the Dallas game, I don’t think we’ve really been playing that badly. We’ve been snake-bitten a bit. We’ve been not doing the little things, special teams, things like that, that you have to do. But I think this was a real good game for us, because this isn’t an easy place to come play." - Sean O'Donnell, on ending the winless streak

“I looked at the last four games, and I didn’t think they played very bad. I thought we dominated, and the puck just wasn’t bouncing our way. Tonight it did, so it was good.” - Jonathan Bernier, on helping give the team a boost.

“He had a big game here today. This is a building that we haven’t had any success in. You see his composure on that first power play that they had. He was under control, he absorbed some pucks. The season that he has played in the minors has really done good things for him. He’s showing signs of becoming a real good goaltender at this level.” - Terry Murray, on Bernier.

Around the Kingdom

• The Royal Half: Inner Arrogance

Sure, I saw Bernier when he played 4 games for the Kings at the start of 2007, but that was a way different Kings team and last night, Bernier looked like a way different goalie. I didn't watch the Dallas game he won a few weeks ago, but last night all the hype about Bernier rang true. The dude hardly moves. At times, especially when there was a flurry of Nashville activity in front of him... he even looked bored.

• The Throne Room: Bernier Breaks the Music City Curse

t’s possible that Bernier could get another start in the NHL this season, maybe even two, but Quick is the Kings’ number one guy, and he will be the guy between the pipes when the playoffs start, barring a disaster.

• LA Kings News: Bernier shuts out and shuts up Predators 2-0

It felt good. A little like strolling to Chet Strait and asking him if it’s true that in Tennessee when a couple gets divorced, they are still legally brother and sister.

• HockeyBuzz's Matthew Barry: March Meltdown Over As Bernier Slams Door On Preds 2-0

The power outage is still a major concern as the Kings have only scored 18 goals in their last 11 games. Just Williams has now gone 20 games without a goal. Lets hope they whallop Vancouver Thursday night and gain even MORE confidence.

From across the aisle, the Nashville viewpoint

• Tennessean.com: Nashville Predators fall to Los Angeles Kings, 2-0.

They've played more games than any team in the NHL; more games in March — 17 — than every other team but one.  So it probably shouldn't be asurprise that the Predators are starting to look a little leg-weary.

• The City Paper: Inability to score at home catches up to Predators in loss to Kings

If that was the case, they ultimately lost control and a critical Western Conference contest 2-0 on Tuesday to the Los Angeles Kings, who did all of their scoring in those final 20 minutes.

• On The Forecheck: Predators shut out at home again in 2-0 loss to Kings 

The opening goal, from Scott Parse in the 3rd period, was a classic example of a guy cutting into the slot and catching the Predators napping on defense. He one-timed a pass right under the crossbar, so Rinne had no chance at all.

• What the Puck: Los Angeles at Nashville, L 2-0

Having won the last seven meetings against the Los Angeles Kings, I almost worried that the Predators were going to head into last night’s game with the mentality of “we’ve got this!”.  That was most definitely not the case. 

Peeping the dailies




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