Backup Kevin Lankinen earned the shootout win, Egor Afanaysev made his NHL debut, and Tommy Novak added to his impressive stats in a big win over the L.A. Kings.

The Nashville Predators played their fifth of six road games tonight against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Nashville's roster looked slightly different than it did in Thursday night's loss to Arizona. Tonight Egor Afanasyev made his NHL debut against the Kings while Rasmus Asplund was listed as day to day with an illness. Kevin Lankinen got the start in net in the first game of a back to back.

The Kings were without leading goal scorer and former Predator Kevin Fiala who was out with a lower body injury. Phoenix Copley got the nod in net for the Kings. 

Game Recap

The game opened with a fast and physical tone. Both teams created offensive chances, but Lankinen and Copley were solid in net early. The Kings cashed in one of their high danger chances midway through the first period as Mikey Anderson was left alone in the slot and scored at 9:32. 

The goal shifted momentum in favor of the Kings, and a roughing call on Dante Fabbro at 13:23 gave Los Angeles an opportunity on the power play. Nashville's penalty kill contained the Kings and then responded after the two minutes with an offensive push of their own. With a minute remaining, a trip on Ryan McDonagh gave Nashville their first power play chance. Tommy Novak made quick work of the man advantage scoring at 19:04, and the teams headed to the first intermission tied 1-1. 

The second period continued with physicality and a fast pace, but a holding penalty committed by Roman Josi gave the Kings another chance on the power play at 4:20. The Predators killed the penalty, and the teams returned to five a side. 

Nashville generated twice as many shots on goal through the first half of the second period as L.A. The Kings responded with offensive pressure late, but the teams headed into the second intermission still tied 1-1. 

There was no slowing down the pace in the third period. Five minutes into the final twenty, Luke Evangelista took a hard hit against the boards and appeared to be shaken up as he headed to the bench. Matt Roy was called for boarding and Kiefer Sherwood headed to Nashville's penalty box for the post hit dust up, and the teams played four on four. Evangelista returned to the ice as the teams returned to full strength.

The Kings ramped up the pressure on Lankinen partway through the third as Nashville struggled to generate time in the offensive zone. The Preds caught a break as Adrian Kempe headed to the penalty box for a roughing call at 13:20. Nashville peppered Copley, but the goaltender handled the shots, and the teams returned to full strength. 

With 2:37 remaining, Yakov Trenin headed to the box for a tripping call, and the Kings' power play went back to work late. L.A. threatened early on the power play, but Nashville was able to kill off the two minutes. As the penalty expired, Ryan McDonagh took a puck to the face and left with :23 left in regulation. 

Copley and Lankinen made key saves in the three on three overtime and both teams generated quality offensive chances, but OT expired and the game went to the shootout. Matt Duchene made his shot and Lankinen made three saves to give Nashville a big 2-1 shootout win. 

Game Notes

1. Kevin Lankinen is the best backup in the NHL. Yes, there are statistic to support this, but the eye test along tonight testifies. The Predators are fortunate to have such a reliable backup who can come up with the big saves just like Juuse Saros. 

2. The youth kept up well against a playoff team. Nashville has "reset" their roster, and tonight the young players impressed against a very tough L.A. Kings team. Egor Afanasyev played well in his NLH debut, Tommy Novak scored, and the young "I'm here to prove something" energy carried this team. 

3. This game is encouraging as Nashville looks to the future. The Preds may be on a new trajectory, but tonight was a game highlighting the potential as the young players mature and the veterans continue to lead. 

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