In a season where wins have been scarce, and there are few things to cheer for, one can only hope for small blessings. Like catching a team looking forward to the upcoming Christmas break enjoyed by the league. Tonight, the ones caught looking ahead were the Kings.

Both teams are coming into the game coming off bad losses, Los Angeles suffered a loss to the league's worst club, St. Louis, on the 21st. Nashville were soundly defeated by Buffalo the same night. Both clubs hope to come in and make some noise.

The first club to make some noise was Nashville, early in the first period. The Predaotrs try to clear the zone, and the puck goes right between Kevin Dallman's legs to Steve Sullivan, who had snuck behind the Kings' D. Sullivan skates in and backhands the puck towards Dan Cloutier. The rebounds pops up high in the air and lands behind him, right in front of a charging Jason Arnott. Arnott simply directs it in for the first score.

Paul Kariya misses scoring on a penalty shot on Dan Cloutier. But he won't be denied this period. Nashville scored again later in the period, when Paul Kariya skates in the nuetral zone and passes it to David Legwand. Legwand leaves the puck to Alexander Radulov. Radulov winds up and shoots, hitting Cloutier's pad. Blunder Dan cannot control the puck once again, and it lands in front of Kariya for an easy goal.

Late in the period, the Kings have several good chances on the power play, but goalie Chris Mason comes up large.

First period: Predators 2, Kings 0

The second period was all Nashville. Starting with a short-handed goal on a penalty shot for Legwand, Nashville reeled off four more goals on Cloutier: Jason Arnott scored again, this time on the power play. And J.P. Dumont scored back-to-back goals.

So now, the Predators scoring looks something like this: Dumont 4 pts. (2G 2A), Sullivan 3 pts (3A), Kariya 2 pts. (1G 1A), Arnott 2 pts. (2G), Legwand 2 pts. (1G 1A), Radulov 2 pts. (2A), Zidlicky 1 pt. (1A). It seems Christmas has come earliy for the Predators, who are feasting on the yuletide carcass of the Kings.

But not all of the blame should be attributed to Cloutier. Two of Nashville's four second-period goals come on the power play. Dumont's first goal was a remarkable goal. He takes a shot on goal, and it appears to hit the post, popping up to him. It hits it in mid-air as Cloutier tries to snatch it away with his glove. But Dumont hits it once again in mid-air, past Cloutier for the score.

Second period: Predators 6, Kings 0

So now, Cloutier has had enough abuse in the game. As Scott Hartnell takes some liberties in the crease, Cloutier spears him in the chest, then starts swinging wildly. He gets an automatic game misconduct, but I don't think anyone will notice. Barry Brust comes in relief and plays well, facing 14 shots in the third.

Legwand scores his second of the game, but it was more a redirection off Lubomir Visnovsky's skate that caused the goal. Brust played well the remainder of the third, despite being down two men. All together, there were 17 penalties in the third.

Thankfully, the game comes to an end. The shutout by Nashville ties the Kings' franchise record of worst defeat, last occuring when the Oilers also had a 7-0 shutout on Los Angeles. I rub my eyes and flip off the TV, as my gaze settles on our Christmas tree decorated with several hockey-themed ornaments. I'm anxiously looking forward to Christmas two days away, and hopeful that the memory of this game fades fast.

Third period: Predators 7, Kings 0