The Nashville Predators visit the Los Angeles Kings on April 6, 2026, in a crucial Western Conference clash at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Both teams are battling for playoff positioning, with Nashville currently holding a slight edge in the standings while the Kings remain close behind. The recent meetings between these teams have produced thrilling high-scoring games, including two shootout victories for the Predators earlier this season. With elite forwards such as Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, and Artemi Panarin leading the attacks, this matchup could once again deliver plenty of offensive action.
Match Details
| Match | Nashville Predators vs Los Angeles Kings |
|---|---|
| Date | April 6, 2026 |
| Time | 10:30 PM ET |
| Venue | Crypto.com Arena |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Broadcast | ESPN+, FDSNSC, FDSNSO |
Western Conference Standings Snapshot
| Team | Position | Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville Predators | 8th | Holding playoff position |
| Los Angeles Kings | 9th | Just behind Nashville |
Both teams are level on points, but Nashville hold the advantage due to more regulation wins.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Kings -135 |
| Moneyline | Predators +115 |
| Puck Line | Kings -1.5 |
| Total Goals | 5.5 – 6 |
Oddsmakers slightly favor the Kings due to home ice advantage.
Recent Form
Los Angeles Kings – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 5 | Maple Leafs | Win 7–6 (OT) |
| Apr 3 | Predators | Loss 4–5 (SO) |
| Apr 2 | Blues | Win 2–1 |
| Mar 29 | Utah Mammoth | Loss 2–6 |
| Mar 27 | Canucks | Win 4–0 |
Los Angeles have collected points in six of their last seven games but have struggled to convert those performances into regulation wins.
Nashville Predators – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 5 | Sharks | Win 6–3 |
| Apr 3 | Kings | Win 5–4 (SO) |
| Mar 30 | Lightning | Loss 2–3 |
| Mar 29 | Canadiens | Loss 1–4 |
| Mar 27 | Devils | Loss 2–4 |
Nashville recently snapped a losing streak and strengthened their playoff position with two important wins.
Head-to-Head Record
Over the last three seasons, the Predators and Kings have faced each other eight times.
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Nashville Predators | 5 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 3 |
Both meetings this season were decided in shootouts, with Nashville winning each game by a 5–4 scoreline.
Key Players to Watch
Los Angeles Kings
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Artemi Panarin | Team scoring leader |
| Adrian Kempe | Leading goal scorer |
| Anze Kopitar | Veteran playmaker |
| Alex Laferriere | Emerging winger |
Panarin has made a strong impact since joining the Kings and remains one of their most creative offensive players.
Nashville Predators
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Filip Forsberg | Offensive star |
| Steven Stamkos | Leading goal scorer |
| Ryan O’Reilly | Key playmaker |
| Luke Evangelista | Young scoring threat |
Forsberg and Stamkos continue to drive Nashville’s offense as the season enters its final stretch.
Projected Lineups
| Nashville Predators | Los Angeles Kings |
|---|---|
| L’Heureux – O’Reilly – Stamkos | Panarin – Kopitar – Kempe |
| Forsberg – Wood – Marchessault | Moore – Byfield – Laferriere |
| Jost – Haula – Evangelista | Armia – Laughton – Wright |
| Schaefer – Svechkov – Kemell | Malott – Helenius – Ward |
Defensive Pairings
| Nashville Predators | Los Angeles Kings |
|---|---|
| Skjei – Josi | Anderson – Doughty |
| Wilsby – Perbix | Edmundson – Clarke |
| Oesterle – Barron | Dumoulin – Ceci |
Goaltending Matchup
| Team | Goalies |
|---|---|
| Nashville Predators | Juuse Saros / Justus Annunen |
| Los Angeles Kings | Anton Forsberg / Darcy Kuemper |
Nashville’s goaltending has been more reliable recently, while the Kings have seen inconsistent performances from Kuemper.
Also see: Kraken vs Jets Prediction – NHL 6 April 2026
Injury Report
Nashville Predators
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Nicolas Hague | Day-to-day |
Los Angeles Kings
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Alex Turcotte | Injured |
| Andrei Kuzmenko | Injured |
Key Stats Comparison
| Category | Predators | Kings |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Per Game | Around 2.9 | Around 3 |
| Goals Allowed | Around 2.9 | Over 4 recently at home |
| Recent Form | Two straight wins | Mixed results |
Nashville have looked more balanced defensively in recent games.
Player Props
| Player | Prop Pick |
|---|---|
| Filip Forsberg | Anytime Goal |
| Adrian Kempe | Anytime Goal |
| Steven Stamkos | Over 0.5 Points |
Forsberg has scored in multiple recent games and remains Nashville’s most dangerous scorer.
Also see: Blackhawks vs Sharks Prediction – NHL April 2026
Best Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Nashville Predators |
| Total Goals | Over 5.5 |
| Player Prop | Filip Forsberg Anytime Goal |
Recent meetings between these teams have produced high-scoring games, making the over an attractive option.
How to Watch Predators vs Kings
Fans can watch the game live on ESPN+ with puck drop scheduled for 10:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Final Prediction
This matchup could be one of the most important games of the night in the Western Conference playoff race. Nashville have shown resilience recently and have already beaten the Kings twice this season. Meanwhile, Los Angeles have improved offensively but continue to struggle defensively at times.
If Nashville’s veteran core of Forsberg, Stamkos, and O’Reilly continues producing offense, the Predators could take another crucial win.
Predicted Score:
Nashville Predators 4 – Los Angeles Kings 3
Add as a preferred source on Google
