Kuemper makes 16 saves as the Kings suffocate the Predators in a shutout

Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist, and Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala also scored for the Kings (7-3-3), who are 4-1-1 in their last six games.

Juuse Saros made 24 saves for the Predators (4-7-1), who have lost three of four saves (1-2-1).

“I know myself that I'm extremely frustrated,” said Nashville forward Ryan O'Reilly. “That was probably one of the worst games I've ever played because I was generating and making plays and losing battles. Even as a group. Yes, we build and then just take a step back. It's all the frustration. You can feel this through our bank. You feel it everywhere. Everyone feels it. We have to dig deeper to find a way out.”

Kopitar gave Los Angeles a 1-0 lead at 13:24 of the first period when he deflected a shot from below the goal line off Saros' back.

“Just people working hard and working together,” Kuemper said. “This is a talented team that tries to make a lot of little plays and we were there all night breaking them down. I think that's why the shooting numbers were so low. And then we were able to play a lot of ice hockey at the end. It was great playing at the back tonight. It was a lot of fun watching the boys work.”

Just 35 seconds into the third period, Fiala extended the score to 2-0, beating Saros on the rebound of Phillip Danault's shot on a 2-on-1.

“Just kind of chaos on the boards over there and I just tried to push it,” Kings forward Trevor Moore said. “I just tried to keep moving up and (Fiala) made a good play.”