By JIM DIAMANT The associated press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Kings weren’t going to squander a third-period lead this time.

Darcy Kuemper made 16 saves for his first shutout of the season (32nd career), helping the Kings beat the Nashville Predators, 3-0, Monday night.

Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist and Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala also scored for the Kings, who failed to protect a two-goal third-period lead in a shootout loss to Chicago on Saturday at the Crypto.com Arena.

The Kings held Nashville to just three shots on goal in the third period, the first coming with 3:55 left and goaltender Juuse Saros calling on an extra attacker. The Kings, who outshot the Predators 12-3 in the final period, have won two of their last three games.

Saros made 24 saves for the Predators, who fell to 1-2-1 in their last four games.

Kopitar opened the scoring with 6:36 left in the first period. Saros denied the Kings captain’s first shot, but Kopitar collected the rebound below the goal line and pushed it back onto the goalie’s skate.

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

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