Darcy Kuemper makes 16 saves for 32nd career shutout in the Kings' 3-0 victory over the Predators

Darcy Kuemper makes 16 saves for 32nd career shutout in the Kings’ 3-0 victory over the Predators

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Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (90) fights with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kyle Burroughs (7) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (90) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kyle Burroughs (7) fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, left, celebrates with Alex Turcotte (15) after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros, left, looks back as a shot by Los Angeles Kings’ Anze Kopitar gets past for a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele (37) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) celebrates with Alex Turcotte (15) after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (84) tries to slow down Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

By JIM DIAMOND

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Darcy Kuemper made 16 saves for his first shutout of the season and 32nd overall, helping the Los Angeles Kings beat the Nashville Predators 3-0 on Monday night.

Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist and Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala also scored. The Kings have won two of their last three.

Juuse Saros made 24 saves for the Predators. They are 1-2-1 in their last four.

Kopitar opened the scoring with 6:36 remaining in the opening period. Saros denied the Kings captain’s first shot, but Kopitar collected the rebound below the goal line and banked it off the netminder’s skate.

Fiala, a former Predator, made it 2-0 35 seconds into the third.

The Kings held Nashville to just three third-period shots on goal, the first coming with 3:55 remaining and Saros pulled for an extra attacker.

Takeaways

Kings: On Saturday night in a shootout loss to Chicago, the Kings held a 2-0 lead after two periods. On Monday, Los Angeles dominated the third period, holding a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal.

Predators: The Predators continue their struggle to score goals. Nashville’s opponents have scored first in nine of 12 games this season. The Predators entered Monday 26th in the NHL with 2.64 goals per game.

Not PARSE.LY: Los Angeles Kings