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Kings edge Preds in shootout

Oct 18, 2013 - 5:47 AM Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Anze Kopitar's goal in the third round of the shootout lifted the Los Angeles Kings to a 2-1 win over the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.

After the first five shooters failed to light the lamp in the shootout, Kopitar went to his backhand and slid a shot past Pekka Rinne for the game- winner.

Slava Voynov netted the lone Kings goal in regulation while Jonathan Quick stopped 34-of-35 shots between the pipes. Los Angeles improved to 4-0 beyond regulation this season, including three wins in shootouts.

"He was sharp tonight," Kings head coach Darryl Sutter said of his goaltender. "He was good early, and it's a good test for him, because it's a building where he's had a tough time."

Matt Cullen scored for Nashville, which saw its two-game winning streak come to an end.

Rinne had 29 saves in defeat.

Quick poke-checked the puck away from Craig Smith on the first shootout attempt from Nashville. Filip Forsberg went to the backhand on his first- career shootout try but missed high, and Cullen slowed down as he skated towards goal but shot right into Quick's body.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter both missed for LA before Kopitar skated in and made a series of dekes before lifting a backhand over Rinne's shoulder.

LA defenseman Alec Martinez was penalized for high-sticking with 3:31 left in overtime, but Nashville failed to capitalize on the ensuing power play as Shea Weber missed wide of the net on three slap shots.

The Predators were 0-for-4 on the man advantage.

Midway through the opening period, Cullen received a pass from Smith behind the net and centered for Gabriel Bourque, who was denied by Quick. The netminder failed to corral the puck, which remained free in front of the net until Cullen found it and smacked it home.

With 42 seconds left in the first, Voynov knotted the score when he one-timed a feed from Richards past a diving Rinne, who was caught out of position.

Los Angeles managed just 13 shots over the final 40 minutes of regulation, while Rinne denied all 18 Nashville attempts.

"We just couldn't find an answer for Jonathan Quick," Nashville head coach Barry Trotz said. "He made some incredible saves in the second period. I think if he didn't have a night like he did, we probably would have lit them up."

Game Notes

Nashville took two of three meetings from the Kings last season ... The Predators won 34-of-60 faceoffs ...Quick improved to 2-5-2 in nine career games against Nashville ... LA won three of four on its road trip and will return home to host Dallas on Saturday ... The Kings were 0-for-4 on the power play.