Los Angeles, CA -- (Sports Network) - Dan Ellis made 27 stops and Cody Franson added a goal and one assist, as Nashville downed Los Angeles, 3-1, at Staples Center.

Francis Bouillon and Joel Ward also tallied for the Predators, who have won four of their last five.

Dustin Brown provided the lone score for the Kings, who had won two in a row coming in. Jon Quick surrendered all three goals on 25 shots in defeat.

"We didn't have a lot of energy and we didnt make a lot of plays," Brown admitted. "It's really just taking accountability individually and preparing yourself to play. That's something that everyone kind of has to look at themselves in the mirror tonight to realize and learn from."

Bouillon snapped a scoreless tie with 3:22 to play in the second period, when his blast from the point beat Quick with Nashville on the power play.

"I was looking for that goal for a long time," Bouillon said. "I had a few chances at the beginning of the season, but it was a really important goal and I was at the right spot at the right time."

Franson doubled the Preds' advantage less than five minutes into the third, but Brown countered on the power play for LA at 8:25 by tipping in Jarret Stoll's shot.

Ward allowed Nashville to regain its two-goal edge only 1:20 later and the Kings could not come closer even with an extra attacker for the final 1:34 of the contest.

Game Notes

Nashville has won seven of the last eight meetings with LA, including a four- game sweep last season...The Preds have won four in a row at Staples Center...Kings forward Anze Kopitar picked up an assist, increasing his NHL- best point total to 27.