Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM PT / 9:30 PM CT
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Nashville enters this matchup in a tight Western Conference playoff race, while Los Angeles is fighting to stabilize after a turbulent mid‑season stretch. Both teams have shown flashes of strong defensive structure but remain inconsistent offensively, setting up a late‑season game with significant implications.
Injury Report
Nashville Predators
Filip Forsberg — Day‑to‑day (upper body)
Ryan McDonagh — Out (lower body)
Luke Evangelista — Day‑to‑day (illness)
Juuse Saros — Expected to start (maintenance earlier in week)
Los Angeles Kings
Adrian Kempe — Day‑to‑day (lower body)
Viktor Arvidsson — Out (back)
Jordan Spence — Out (upper body)
Pheonix Copley — Day‑to‑day (illness)
Impact:
Nashville’s top‑six scoring hinges on Forsberg’s availability. Los Angeles is missing key transition and finishing talent with Kempe and Arvidsson compromised. Defensive depth is also affected for both teams.
Team Records & Recent Form
Nashville Predators (36‑31‑9)
Last 10: 6‑3‑1
Goals For (Last 10): 31
Goals Against (Last 10): 27
Road Record: 17‑15‑4
Trend: Nashville is playing some of its best hockey of the season, driven by improved special teams and Saros’ recent form.
Los Angeles Kings (31‑26‑19)
Last 10: 4‑4‑2
Goals For (Last 10): 28
Goals Against (Last 10): 30
Home Record: 15‑12‑10
Trend: The Kings remain one of the league’s most unpredictable teams — strong defensive metrics but inconsistent scoring.
Key Player Matchups
Roman Josi (NSH) vs. Drew Doughty (LAK)
Josi: 17 G, 48 A — elite puck‑moving defenseman
Doughty: 9 G, 32 A — stabilizing force on LA’s blue line
Edge: Nashville
Josi’s offensive impact and transition ability give the Predators a clear advantage.
Filip Forsberg (NSH) vs. Kevin Fiala (LAK)
Forsberg: 33 G, 34 A — Nashville’s primary finisher
Fiala: 25 G, 38 A — dynamic but streak‑dependent
Edge: Even
If Forsberg plays, this becomes a high‑skill matchup with game‑breaking potential.
Goaltending: Juuse Saros (NSH) vs. Cam Talbot (LAK)
Saros: .914 SV%, trending upward
Talbot: .905 SV%, inconsistent but capable
Edge: Nashville
Saros’ recent form and ability to steal games tilt the matchup.
Series History
Season Series: Nashville leads 1–0
Predators won the previous meeting 4–2
Last 8 meetings: Nashville leads 5–3
At Crypto.com Arena: Teams have split the last 4
Betting Trends
Nashville Predators
6‑3‑1 in last 10
Under has hit in 4 of last 6
Predators are 24‑6‑4 when scoring 3+ goals
Road penalty kill: 82.1%
Los Angeles Kings
4‑4‑2 in last 10
Under has hit in 5 of last 7
Kings are 10‑18‑9 when allowing the first goal
Home scoring average: 2.78 goals per game
Matchup‑Specific
Last 5 meetings averaged 5.4 total goals
Both teams trend toward structured, low‑event hockey
Goaltending matchup strongly favors Nashville
Game Odds
Nashville Predators 5.5
Los Angeles Kings – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 5, 2026
