Predators Edge Kings 3-2

Rob Valicevic of the Nashville Predators made the most of his only shot on goal Saturday night, and in the process might have dealt the fading playoff hopes of the Los Angeles Kings a fatal blow.

Valicevic scored on a rebound with 8:31 left in the third period, and the expansion Predators beat the Kings 3-2, their third win in as many meetings between the teams this season.

"Right now, it's the difference between us being in a playoff position and not being in a playoff position," Los Angeles coach Larry Robinson said of his club's inability to beat the Predators. "That's what it comes down to."

The Kings began the game seven points out of the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference, and now have just seven games left to make up the difference. Nashville and Los Angeles are tied with 61 points.

Valicevic, a 28-year-old rookie center who was recalled Monday from Houston of the International League, was all alone in front when Sebastien Bordeleau's hard wrist shot bounced right to him off Kings goaltender Stephane Fiset's chest. He whacked the puck by Fiset for his second career goal, snapping a 2-2 tie.

"I just want to help the team any way I can," Valicevic said. "Fortunately enough, tonight it just happened to be a game-winner . . . It happened so quickly I couldn't tell you how open I was."

The Kings knew.

"He stood there all alone," Robinson said. "(Our defensemen) were probably staring at the puck."

Los Angeles is the only club the Predators have beaten three times. "That's really what we're all about, getting a contribution from a different guy on every win," Predators captain Tom Fitzgerald said. "We've played well against the Kings. You've got to like it."

Cliff Ronning's 20th goal of the season put the Predators ahead 10:00 into the first period. After Scott Walker battled through two checks n the right side, he fed Ronning in front. Fiset stopped Ronning's first shot, but Ronning poked the rebound through his legs.

"It's not like we didn't have chances, but I see them going to the net with more than our guys," Robinson said.
Luc Robitaille tied it moments later on a one-timer from between the circles. It was the 35th of the year for Robitaille, who had no points and was minus-4 in the previous two games between the teams.

Olli Jokinen lifted a wrist shot over goalie Tomas Vokoun from a tough angle on the right side, and the Kings led early in the second period.

Nashville defenseman Drake Berehowsky, who did not score a goal in his first 66 games this season, got his second in as many contests to tie it again 2-2. Berehowsky connected at the left post off Walker's feed. Ronning picked up his 400th career assist on the play.

Vokoun made 34 saves for his 11th win.

"Tomas seems to be in control," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "Every time we've thrown him in the net, it's always against some of the top teams."

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