Predators resume West Coast swing in L.A.

(Sports Network) - The Nashville Predators will attempt to regain sole possession of first place in the Central Division this afternoon at the Staples Center, where they take on a Los Angeles Kings team seeking its first three-game win streak of the season.

Nashville is tied with arch-rival Detroit, which defeated Chicago on Friday, for the top spot in both the division and the Eastern Conference standings with 90 total points. The Predators come in having won three straight contests, a run which began with a key overtime victory over the Red Wings last Saturday.

Following that win, Nashville embarked on a five-game road trip and has emerged triumphant in each of the first two tests on the swing. After edging Columbus in a shootout on Sunday, the Predators needed one again to defeat San Jose Wednesday at HP Pavilion.

Nashville came away with a 4-3 decision over the Sharks on J.P. Dumont's goal in the fourth round of the shootout. Alexander Radulov also scored in the deciding phase and added a regulation goal for the Predators, who also received tallies from Vernon Fiddler and Martin Erat on the evening.

Tomas Vokoun compiled 27 saves over the first 65 minutes, then stoned three of the four San Jose skaters he faced during the shootout.

Nashville, which owns a 20-13-0 mark away from home on the season, continues this trek Sunday in Anaheim before visiting Detroit in a pivotal divisional matchup on Tuesday.

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