Peter Budaj makes 28 saves, Kings shut out Predators

NASHVILLE --Peter Budaj made 28 saves, and the Los Angeles Kings scored three goals in the third period in a 4-0 win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.
It was Budaj's fourth shutout.
"I definitely think this is a tough building," Budaj said. "I think this is a hard game to play in. This is a building where the home team is building off of the momentum of the building, and I think our guys did a great job, especially on the [penalty kill].
"We blocked a lot of shots and we had a good stick so they couldn't make any crisscross passes, so we kind of eliminated those one-timers, which Nashville is known for. Guys did a great job in front of me, and thank God I was able to see the puck and make some saves, so everything worked out good tonight."

The Kings (17-13-3), who had lost two games in a row, are 7-9-2 on the road, 3-2-1 in the first six of a nine-game trip.
The Predators (15-13-5) lost for the first time in three games. They are 10-4-3 at home.
WATCH: All Kings vs. Predators highlights
"It was back and forth, and we just gave up a couple of chances that cost us the game there in the third," Nashville captain Mike Fisher said. "We just couldn't find a way to win. It was disappointing. That was a big game for us. We'll give it a rest here and come back fired up after Christmas."
Nicholas Shore, Nic Dowd, Jeff Carter and Devin Setoguchi each scored, and eight Kings had a point.
Shore gave the Kings a 1-0 lead at 6:33 of the first period when he scored on the rush. He attempted a pass across the middle of the ice, and the puck went off Predators forward Mike Ribeiro's stick and past goaltender Pekka Rinne for Shore's second goal.
"I think we approach every game the exact same way. Whether it's the first game of a trip or this one, we're going to come into it with the same mindset and try to play Kings hockey," Shore said.
Dowd gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead at 4:25 of the third period on a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle. He retrieved the puck behind the Nashville net and beat Rinne with a wrist shot through the five-hole for his fourth goal.
Carter scored on the rush nine seconds later on a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle to put the Kings up 3-0. Defenseman Alec Martinez hit Carter with the pass breaking into the Predators zone, and Carter beat Rinne for his 17th goal.

Setoguchi made it 4-0 at 11:39. Kings center Anze Kopitar passed from the slot, and Setoguchi beat Rinne on the glove side for his fourth goal.
It was the 700th NHL point for Kopitar.
Kings forward Tyler Toffoli missed the game with a lower-body injury and is day to day. Forward Dustin Brown returned after missing two games with an upper-body injury.
Predators defenseman P.K. Subban missed his fourth consecutive game with an upper-body injury. He is day to day.

Goal of the game

Kopitar made a spinning pass behind the back to set up Setoguchi's goal. Brown got the puck to Kopitar to start the play.

Save of the game

Budaj made a save on Predators forward Kevin Fiala in the second period on a power move to the crease. Fiala brought the puck from his backhand to his forehand and tried to stuff it past Budaj, but the Kings goalie got his pad on it.

Unsung performance of the game

Trevor Lewis skated around Predators defenseman Roman Josi early in the second period, took the puck below the goal line, and tried to flip a backhand centering pass, but it hit off the back of the net. Dowd retrieved the puck and scored from the bottom of the left faceoff circle.

Highlight of the game

Budaj made a save on a breakaway by Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson at 9:32 of the second period to preserve a 1-0 lead for the Kings.

They said it

"It's almost unbelievable when you look at two years ago where I was. I didn't have a job. I was coming off one of the worst years I've ever had. I didn't have a win [with St. John's of the American Hockey League], and then last year I got a [professional tryout]. Last year was arguably so far the best year in my career. I played really well down in the minors, and right now I'm here. I'm just very thankful to God to be here and that I'm healthy, that I'm able to play. I'm just excited to enjoy every single moment." -- Kings goaltender Peter Budaj on his return to the NHL

Need to know

The Kings have given up one goal or no goals in four of their past five games. … The Predators have been shut out twice this season (3-0 against the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 27).

What's next

Kings:At the Dallas Stars on Friday (8:30 p.m. ET; FS-SW+, FS-W, NHL.TV)
Predators: Host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; FS-TN, FS-N, FS-WI, NHL.TV)