Kings rally late, defeat Predators in shootout

NASHVILLE --Matt Roy scored twice in the final seven minutes of the third period, and the Los Angeles Kings rallied for a 4-3 shootout win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

Gabriel Vilardi scored his fourth of the season and had the only goal in the shootout for the Kings (3-2-0), who were coming off a 5-4 overtime win at the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.
"Guys are excited and happy for each other," Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said. "Back-to-back early in the year, in this building it doesn't happen often. Our guys had a good mindset going into the third.
"I didn't think we were bad throughout the night. A lot of momentum swings again because of penalties, both our team and their team. I didn't think being down two was a disaster. We did some good things, stuck with it and found a way to win a game."

Cal Petersen made 29 saves before stopping Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene and Roman Josi in the shootout.
"When you do stuff like this, it just goes to show [that] when we inevitably get in these sort of games where we are down or seemingly out of it, we can reach back and know that … we've done it before," Petersen said. "These are huge for our confidence. I think this is what defines a team. I think it's incredible that we were able to do that."
Mikael Granlund had two assists, and Juuse Saros made 32 saves for the Predators (2-2-1), who have lost three straight.
Nashville was penalized nine times in the game, allowing one power-play goal and one at 4-on-4 after a penalty negated their own man-advantage.
"It starts with the penalties," Predators coach John Hynes said. "Offensive-zone penalties, penalties on the power play, penalties at key times. You can't get any momentum when you do that. You're putting their top guys on the ice.
"I thought the third period, our decision-making with the puck didn't set us up to be able to play in the attack. We had to take on a lot of water."
Roy cut it to 3-2 at 13:00 of the third period when Brendan Lemieux's centering pass redirected in off his right shin on a 3-on-2. He then tied it 3-3 at 17:52, beating Saros from the right circle during a 4-on-4.

Roy has scored three goals this season after scoring two in 67 games last season.
"It's not often we're talking about Matt scoring two to tie the game in the third period, but he has that ability," McLellan said. "He's got tremendous legs and he's strong. He went to the net. He knows the score. He can gamble a little bit more, and he did a real good job. Big night."
Roy said: "The fourth man up in the rush is a good look offensively, but there comes a responsibility. You can't just jump up whenever you want. You've got to pick your spots and be responsible defensively."
Cody Glass scored on Nashville's first shot on goal to make it 1-0 at 1:32 of the first period. He beat Peterson glove side from the right circle during a delayed penalty.
Vilardi tied it 1-1 at 4:24 of the second period, redirecting Arthur Kaliyev's shot five-hole on Saros from the edge of the crease during a power play.
Forsberg put the Predators back in front 2-1 at 8:32 of the second, scoring on a one-timer from the left circle off a cross-ice pass from Granlund.

Tanner Jeannot extended the lead to 3-1 at 19:29. Peterson stopped Jeannot's initial wraparound attempt, but the forward jammed in his own rebound.
"I think we just stopped playing offense," Forsberg said. "Not necessarily that extreme, but I think we're taking on way too much heat. We've got to be able to make plays under pressure. We knew they were going to come out hard with the forecheck in the third. I mean, they're obviously down two and desperate. So, that's something that we definitely have to work on going forward."
NOTES:Kaliyev was playing in place of forward Alex Iafallo (lower body), who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the day. ... Kings defenseman Alexander Edler missed his second straight game after taking a puck to the face in warm-ups Monday. … Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki (illness) is day to day. … Glass' goal was his first in 12 games with the Predators since being acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights for Nolan Patrick on July 17, 2021.