February 2 postgame notes; Martinez leaves game with lower-body injury

-With the loss, Los Angeles fell to 34-27-9 all-time against Nashville, a record that includes a road mark of 17-11-5. The Kings were 0-2-1 in the three-game season series, failing to win a game in one season against the Predators for the third time in the teams’ 18-year on-ice history (also 2014-15: 0-1-2; 2008-09: 0-3-1). L.A. was 3-0-0 in the head-to-head series last season, winning twice in overtime.

-Los Angeles fell to 11-13-4 against the Western Conference, 5-4-1 against the Central Division, 11-5 in games decided by three or more goals, 13-16-3 when the opponent scores first, 7-13-3 when trailing after one, 5-15-3 when trailing after two and 13-12-3 when outshot by their opponent.

-The Kings were shut out for the second time this season (also: 12/23 / 0-2 L @ SJS / Martin Jones).

-Anze Kopitar’s six-game assist and point streak, Jake Muzzin’s six-game point streak and Drew Doughty’s four-game point streak were snapped in the shutout loss.

-Los Angeles attempted 44 shots (19 on goal, 19 blocked, 6 missed). Nashville attempted 57 shots (36 on goal, 12 blocked, 9 missed). Craig Smith led all skaters with four shots on goal, while Trevor Lewis and Tanner Pearson finished tied with a team-high three shots.

-The Kings won 31-of-61 faceoffs (51%). Adrian Kempe won 4-of-13, Anze Kopitar won 12-of-24, Kyle Clifford won 1-of-4, Nick Shore won 8-of-11, Trevor Lewis won 1-of-2, Tanner Pearson won 0-of-1, Torrey Mitchell won 4-of-5 and Tyler Toffoli won 1-of-1.

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Defenseman Alec Martinez suffered a lower-body injury during the Kings’ 5-0 loss to the Nashville Predators and did not return to game action after the second period. During the third period, a Kings public relations representative passed along the information that he was not expected to return.

Injury information is not usually available immediately after games, and John Stevens didn’t have an update when asked. It was not immediately clear how Martinez suffered the injury; no available video depicted any clear moment it was sustained.

Anecdotally, Martinez was seen after the game walking without any noticeable ailment outside the team dressing room. That’s not to infer that he’s dealing with something inconsequential, but rather to note that the injury didn’t necessitate the use of crutches or some sort of walking device that might indicate a longer-term injury.

Martinez missed the first three games of the season with a lower-body injury but had played in the 47 games prior to Thursday, totaling five goals and 15 points.

More should be learned on Martinez from Toyota Sports Center on Friday.

The Kings are scheduled to practice at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 2 at Toyota Sports Center. This is likely to be an optional skate.

-Lead photo via John Russell/NHLI