Scouting the Predators

This is the third of four meetings this season between the Kings and the Nashville Predators. It follows the Kings’ 4-3 victory on Nov. 8 in Los Angeles and the Predators’ 2-1 victory in Nashville on Feb. 27. The Predators have all but assured themselves of a playoff spot and currently sit in fifth place in the Western Conference, six points behind Detroit. To be sure, the Predators will want to push for home-ice advantage in the first period. The Predators haven’t lost at home since Jan. 5, when they were beaten by Dallas. Since then, the Predators are 10-0-2 in their last 12 home games. Nashville has been solid offensive — 22 goals in its last seven games — and outstanding at the other end. Goalie Pekka Rinne has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his last eight starts. After today’s morning skate, Nashville coach Barry Trotz indicated he might make a couple minor lineup changes, but didn’t elaborate. For the latest on the Predators, check out the coverage from The Tennessean, followed by the possible lineups for the Kings and the Predators…

The Tennessean’s Predators coverage

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KINGS LINEUP
Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams
Dwight King-Mike Richards-Jeff Carter
Dustin Penner-Jarret Stoll-Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford-Colin Fraser-Jordan Nolan

Rob Scuderi-Drew Doughty
Willie Mitchell-Slava Voynov
Alec Martinez-Matt Greene

Jonathan Quick
Jonathan Bernier

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PREDATORS LINEUP
Sergei Kostitsyn-Mike Fisher-Martin Erat
Andrei Kostitsyn-David Legwand-Patric Hornqvist
Gabriel Bourque-Paul Gaustad-Craig Smith
Colin Wilson-Nick Spaling-Jordin Tootoo

Ryan Suter-Shea Weber
Hal Gill-Roman Josi
Francis Bouillon-Jack Hillen

Pekka Rinne
Anders Lindback