Predators rally past Kings with 3 goals in 3rd

NASHVILLE -- Matt Duchene had two goals, and the Nashville Predators scored three straight in the third period to rally for a 5-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.

"The second was a tough period [for us]," Duchene said. "They played pretty well and got good bounces that went in our net. But I thought we did a good job sticking with it. It was a big win for us, and I think we just take the lessons of what made us successful from tonight and take them on to the next game."

Ryan Johansen and Mikael Granlund each had a goal and an assist, and Roman Josi had three assists for the Predators (22-18-6), who have won three of four. Juuse Saros made 31 saves.
"Tonight it was a hungry group, it was a passionate group," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "Throughout the lineup we had good performances and I thought guys played to the ability they can play to, so it was a good game. It was a good response game, and I certainly think we can take some lessons out of this one and build on it going [forward]."
Sean Durzi had a goal and an assist, and Anze Kopitar had two assists for the Kings (25-17-6), who have lost three straight. Pheonix Copley allowed two goals on three shots before being replaced 39 seconds into the game by Jonathan Quick, who made 22 saves.
Johansen tied it 3-3 at 8:44 of the third period when he redirected in a centering pass from Granlund. It was Nashville's second power-play goal in 26 opportunites dating to Jan. 6 (nine games).
"It was a big one," Hynes said. "It was a key moment in the game. They came through. That's a typical example of where you need your power play to step up. They certainly did that and that was a big difference."
Duchene gave Nashville a 4-3 lead at 13:34 of the third period, beating Quick off the rush with a wrist shot in front of the net.

Cole Smith then redirected Josi's shot at 16:10 for the 5-3 final. It was his first NHL goal in his 49th game.
"[Smith] has been playing great," Duchene said. "It's really nice to see him get rewarded. He works his butt off every night, so good for him."
Granlund gave the Predators a 1-0 lead 19 seconds into the first period, redirecting Alexandre Carrier's wrist shot from just inside the blue line.
Duchene scored 20 seconds later to make it 2-0. After receiving a pass from Cody Glass, Duchene spun in the slot and scored with a backhand.
"[Quick] gave us a boost," McLellan said. "We had really nothing else we could do to change the momentum. We needed a little bit of time. He played well."

Durzi cut it to 2-1 at 9:26, beating Saros five-hole following a failed clearing attempt by Johansen.
Adrian Kempe tied it 2-2 at 6:14 of the second period. His initial shot from in tight was stopped by Saros, but the rebound deflected in off the forward's leg.
Quinton Byfield put the Kings ahead 3-2 at 17:04 with a power-play goal, spinning in front of the crease and lifting a wrist shot over Saros' glove.
"In times like this when you lose three in a row, you've got to look at yourself first and then go from there," Kopitar said. "If everybody just elevates their game a few notches, we'll be a lot better as a team. Start with yourself and then expand, and then you can help each other."
NOTES: Nashville is the 15th team in NHL history to score twice in the opening 39 seconds of a game. ... Copley was pulled for the second straight game. … Granlund's goal was his first since Dec. 2 (23 games). ... Duchene's goals were his first since Jan. 3 (10 games).