Kings vs. Predators Final Score: LA Scores Early and Often In 4-3 Victory

The Los Angeles Kings had been struggling throughout the past week, but the team got back on track with a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday evening.

Four goals were scored in the first period, two on each side. Alec Martinez (4:29) and Drew Doughty (6:13) each scored their first goal of the season in the opening minutes, but the Predators battled back with goals from Matt Halischuk (10:41) and Craig Smith, who scored his fifth goal of the year on the power play.

The Kings took the lead midway through the second period with a goal from Mike Richards. Simon Gagne lit the lamp once again for his fifth goal of the year to give LA a 4-2 lead.

Los Angeles fought off two early penalties in the third period and allowed a goal to Patric Hornqvist with just 90 seconds remaining. Nashville tried to steal another goal in the final seconds, but the Kings were able to hold on to the 4-3 victory.

With the win, the team improved to 7-5-3 on the year with 17 points.

Kings Vs. Predators: L.A. Returns Home, Seeks Elusive Win

The Los Angeles Kings look to snap a five-game losing skid Tuesday night as the return home to battle the Nashville Predators at Staples Center. The Kings fell Monday night in San Jose to the Sharks 4-2 and fell into fourth place in the Pacific Division with 15 points.

"We're all confident here," Kings goalie Jonathan Quick told Brian Compton of NHL.com. "We know we're not putting it to them the full 60 minutes, at least not through this little stretch. We're outplaying teams but we can't put them away. We have to dig down a little deeper and figure a way to get out of this."

Quick will get the night off Tuesday night in favor of Jonathan Bernier, per Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times. Bernier has only started two of 14 games in net for the Kings this season, and he is 0-2, with seven goals aloud and an .857 save percentage. The 23-year old Bernier was 11-8-3 last season.

This is the third set of back-to-back games for the Kings this season. They are 0-2 on the second night of back-to-back contests this season, losing 4-2 to the Buffalo Sabres in Berlin, Germany on October 8 and falling 3-2 to the Colorado Avalanche in Denver in October 30.

Nashville is playing the fourth game of a five-game road trip, and the first night of a back-to-back sojourn through southern California that will also see the Predators battle the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night. This is the first of four meetings between the Kings and Predators this season. Los Angeles won three of four matchups last season, outscoring Nashville 16 goals to nine.

Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more Kings news and information be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.

2011 NHL Schedule: Los Angeles Kings Come Home For Three Games This Week

Since beating Dallas on Oct. 27, the Los Angeles Kings have lost five straight games including Monday night's loss to San Jose, 4-2. Already with a suspect offense, the defense has slipped recently as well, aiding in the tailspin. The Kings only give up 2.1 goals per game, good for 5th in the league but only score that same amount per game, putting them 28th.

The Kings are home all week, starting on Tuesday, November 8, with a visit from the Nashville Predators. The Predators have won four of their last five games. The game will start at 7:30 PM and will be televised on Fox Sports West.

On Thursday, November 10, the Kings get a visit from the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks just halted a two-game losing streak with a win over Chicago. The game will start at 7:30 PM and will air on Fox Sports West.

The Kings will end the week with a Saturday, November 12 visit from the Minnesota Wild, who are second in the league in goals against. The game will start at 7:30 PM and will air on Fox Sports West.

You can find the full 2011-2012 Los Angeles Kings schedule by clicking here.

To watch the games and comment along with your fellow LA fans, skate over to Jewels From The Crown.