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Predators-Kings Preview

Mar 13, 2010 - 7:13 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Nashville (37-26-5) at Los Angeles (40-22-5), 3:00 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Kings have already tied a franchise record for wins on the road. They'll now try to carry that success back home as they look to snap a six-game losing streak to the Nashville Predators.

The Kings open a four-game homestand looking for their first win over the Predators at Staples Center in over two years Sunday afternoon.

Los Angeles (40-22-5) appears to be headed back to the playoffs for the first time since 2001-02 with 15 games remaining - nine at home.

Location may not be an issue for the Kings, who won 2-1 in a shootout over Dallas on Friday to tie the franchise record of 21 road victories set in 1980-81.

Beating Nashville (37-26-5) anywhere, however, has been a problem.

The Kings have lost eight of nine to the Predators, getting outscored 17-5 in dropping four in a row at home since a 6-0 win Oct. 23, 2007.

Los Angeles lost 3-1 to Nashville at home Nov. 7, as Jonathan Quick gave up two goals on nine shots in the third period.

Quick, though, has been a big reason why the Kings are 19-10-3 at home and have won six of eight there (6-1-1). He's 6-1-0 with a 1.98 goals-against average and two shutouts in that span. However, he's posted a 3.31 GAA in losing all three career starts against the Predators.

Quick, whose 37 wins are a team record, is expected to be back in net after missing Friday's game to attend the birth of his first child. Rookie Jonathan Bernier made 29 saves and four more in the shootout.

The Predators, who are also in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference, are trying to conclude a four-game road trip at .500 after Pekka Rinne made 31 saves in a 1-0 win over Anaheim on Friday.

Rinne is 3-1-0 with a 2.01 GAA in four starts since signing a two-year, $2.8 million extension Feb. 24.

"He's been a great goalie ever since he's been here," said defenseman Shea Weber, who scored his 13th goal in the first period against the Ducks. "Obviously, the organization wants him for the long run. They showed that by signing him, and he's been rewarding them with his good play. For a big guy, he moves really well. He's got quick feet and great hands as well."

Rinne could be back in goal Sunday, but coach Barry Trotz may opt to use Dan Ellis. He's 5-1-0 with a 2.63 GAA in seven games against the Kings, posting a 1.67 GAA in winning all three starts at Staples Center.

The Predators have been one of the best teams in the league on the power play recently, converting 15 of 52 chances (28.8 percent) in 13 games while scoring at least one goal with the man advantage in 12 of those contests.

Martin Erat, the team leader with 42 points, has one goal and five of his eight assists on the power play during that stretch. The right wing has one goal and 10 assists in the last six meetings with Los Angeles, notching two assists in a 4-2 win March 4.