Nashville’s four-game win streak collides with Kings' erratic start

The Los Angeles Kings face the Nashville Predators at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, a matchup between a home team struggling for consistency and an opponent riding a four-game winning streak. The Kings have won three games, lost two in regulation, and dropped three in overtime or shootout, while Nashville has beaten the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, and Tampa Bay Lightning since switching divisions.

Artemi Panarin has been the primary driver of Los Angeles’s limited success. In five of the Kings’ wins, he recorded multiple points, and he scored the team’s only goal in one overtime loss. When Panarin does not record a point, the Kings have not won. Their record in those six games is 0-6-0. Adrian Kempe, who plays on the same line, called Panarin one of the most skilled players he has ever encountered.

The Kings’ current rhythm mirrors their 2025-26 campaign, when they struggled to win more than two consecutive games. They finished with the league’s 20th-best record and the second-fewest regulation wins before being swept in the playoffs. This season, their three regulation victories tie them with Pittsburgh and Chicago for 28th place among 32 NHL franchises. They have lost to both of those teams and split two games against San Jose, the only club with fewer regulation wins.

Team president Luc Robitaille has not addressed the media recently, despite previously describing the team as a contender. General Manager Ken Holland has also avoided setting specific expectations. New head coach Peter Laviolette has shifted the team toward an offensive system, keeping most of the same defensemen from the previous year’s defensive structure. This approach has elevated Erik Gustafsson, who is in the lineup for all five of the Kings’ wins. The team is 3-1-1 when Gustafsson records a point.

Gustafsson is currently day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Cody Ceci may return to the lineup, though the Kings have not won a game this season with him on the ice. Their record with Ceci is 0-5-2. Kevin Fiala is increasing his practice participation but is not yet ready for game action following two surgeries for leg fractures sustained in February. Mats Zuccarello remains sidelined. Alex Turcotte returned in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh but finished with a -3 rating and one shot on goal in 10 minutes and 55 seconds of ice time.

Nashville acquired Shane Wright from the Seattle Kraken. The Predators have not lost since the trade, extending their current streak to four games. Wright has not recorded a point yet, but captain Roman Josi has maintained offensive production. Goalie Juuse Saros earned the NHL’s third star of the week on Monday after strong performances in recent games.

The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday. It will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Hulu, with radio coverage on 710 AM and 830 AM.