Kings edge Predators in shootout, take over 2nd wild card in West

Los Angeles moves one point ahead of Nashville in Western Conference wild card race

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with players and the puck fractured into sharp, overlapping shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the intensity and high stakes of the playoff push.The Kings' narrow shootout victory over the Predators highlights the tight Western Conference wild card race as the regular season winds down.San Jose Today

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday night, moving into the second wild card spot in the Western Conference standings. Joel Armia and Scott Laughton scored in regulation for the Kings, while Steven Stamkos and Roman Josi found the back of the net for the Predators.

Why it matters

This was a crucial game in the tight Western Conference wild card race, with the Kings and Predators battling for playoff positioning. The win gives the Kings a one-point lead over the Predators, who would own the tiebreaker if the two teams finish the season tied.

The details

Armia opened the scoring for the Kings in the first period, but Stamkos tied it up for the Predators in the second on a 5-on-3 power play. Laughton put the Kings back in front in the third, but Josi knotted the game at 2-2 to send it to overtime. After a scoreless extra session, the Kings prevailed in the shootout to claim the two points.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 6, 2026.
  • Armia scored at 5:36 of the first period.
  • Stamkos scored at 4:29 of the second period.
  • Laughton scored at 13:57 of the third period.
  • Josi scored at 4:18 of the third period.

The players

Joel Armia

Forward for the Los Angeles Kings who scored the opening goal of the game.

Scott Laughton

Forward for the Los Angeles Kings who scored the go-ahead goal in the third period.

Steven Stamkos

Forward for the Nashville Predators who scored the game-tying goal in the second period.

Roman Josi

Defenseman for the Nashville Predators who scored the game-tying goal in the third period.

Anton Forsberg

Goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings who made 29 saves in the win.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us in the wild card race. To come in here and get the two points is huge for our playoff push.”

— Joel Armia, Forward, Los Angeles Kings

“It's a tough loss, but we'll regroup and get ready for the next one. We're still in a good position in the standings.”

— Roman Josi, Defenseman, Nashville Predators

What’s next

The Kings will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Predators will aim to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This hard-fought game between two Western Conference playoff contenders showcased the intensity of the wild card race, with the Kings edging the Predators to move into the second wild card position. Both teams will need to maintain this level of play down the stretch to secure their postseason berths.