Nashville Predators surprise in 3-1 win over Los Angeles Kings

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 7, 2009 6:30 PM EST

Despite missing their top two scorers due to injury, the Nashville Predators pulled out a 3-1 victory on the road in Los Angeles, giving the Kings only their second loss in regulation play on home ice. The Preds were led with a goal and an assist by rookie defenseman Cody Franson, and two assists by Martin Erat, who returned to action after missing 3 games. The assists were the first on the season for Erat.

Since there was no TV coverage, one thing you can do is click the picture above for other shots from today's game.

With no TV coverage of today's game there won't be video highlights, but one that stands out from looking at the NHL GameCenter coverage is that Nashville did a better job of developing dangerous scoring chances; several shots came from close in towards the goal.

Besides the quality of the chances, the Predators also took care of the quantity side of the equation as well - in terms of Total Shots (which includes those which missed the net or were blocked), the Preds put together a nice 59-42 advantage.

Dan Ellis made 27 saves on 28 L.A. shots for the win, which brings the Preds back to .500 at 7-7-1 heading into Tuesday's game at San Jose. Francis Bouillon got the Preds the initial lead with a power play goal in the 2nd period, while Franson and Joel Ward scored in the 3rd at even strength for Nashville.

Your advanced Even Strength statistics will follow tomorrow morning.

Final - 11.7.2009	1	2	3	Total
Nashville Predators	0	1	2	3
Los Angeles Kings	0	0	1	1

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Poll

Who is your Predator of the Game?

Cody Franson, 1 goal 1 assist

50 votes

Martin Erat, 2 assists

8 votes

Dan Ellis, 27 saves on 28 shots

63 votes

121 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

The poll is missing something

Where’s “The Cube”?

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Nov 7, 2009 8:42 PM EST reply actions

Dan Ellis postgame via TSN

" We need our defencemen to score," Ellis said. “We don’t have an abundance of talent and we don’t have a surefire sniper. Jason Arnott is the closest thing we’ve got, so we need to score by committee and we need to score with grit. That’s what we’re starting to do.”

You have to admire his candor.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Nov 7, 2009 8:43 PM EST reply actions

I noticed...

Francis Bouillon had the most ice-time. From what I read from earlier posts around here, it seemed he was stuck on your 3rd pair. What happened and are you guys ok with it?

Bouillon is a fierce competitor, still have a nose for offense, but lost some speed because of his knee. Played with a chip on his shoulder since his junior years because of his ridiculous siza and has even a bigger one after being kicked out of Montreal for the second time. I don’t think he can lead a defensive brigade but I do think he’s still at least 4th defenceman material.

I still can’t believe Habs went for Hal Gill or Paul Mara instead of him….

Still cautiously optimistic.

by FrenchFreak on Nov 7, 2009 10:02 PM EST reply actions