KINGS ADJUSTING TO THEIR NEW REALITY SCORELESS ROAD TIE LEAVES OFFENSE-DEPLETED TEAM WITH GLOW OF ACCOMPLISHMENT KINGS 0, NASHVILLE 0.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - You waited all night for Ziggy Palffy to cross the blue line and torture the other team's goaltender.

You were hoping for that spin move, that race across the slot, that top-shelf magic that many nights was the best reason to watch the Kings.

Then you realized Palffy was at home in a hospital bed watching the game on TV. Tuesday's 0-0 tie with the Nashville Predators is the Kings' new reality.

``We need to do things differently now and I think we saw that tonight,'' said Trent Klatt, on the day after Palffy's season-ending shoulder surgery. ``We played some defense, got good goaltending. This is what it is going to be like from now on.''

For a team that extended its winless streak to 12 games (0-3-8-1), the mood was surprisingly giddy in the post-game dressing room.

They have a good chance to break their long slump, playing three of four teams with losing records in this trip.

Although they didn't get their first victory since Dec. 16, the Kings watched much-maligned goaltender Roman Cechmanek post the 25th shutout of his career.

Although much of the game was a snooze, Cechmanek faced 16 of the Predators' 29 shots in the third period and was up for every one.

It also was his second consecutive impressive game, coming after a 2-2 tie where he stopped 31 of 33 shots.

The Kings' defense, which gets ripped more often than Cechmanek, killed all eight penalties, including three by Sean Avery in the second period alone.

Coming in, the Kings were 28th in the league in road penalty killing.

``That was huge for us,'' Cechmanek said. ``That is how you win games.''

Some might argue that the past two ties are testament to just how far the Kings have fallen. Columbus has the worst record in the Western Conference and the Kings now are 8-0-3 in their last 11 games at Gaylord Entertainment Center.

But the truth is, Columbus is playing better since coach Gerard Gallant took over two weeks ago and Nashville is 9-1-3-1 in its last 14 home games.

``I don't know why we play them so well here,'' Ian Laperriere said after the Kings' first scoreless tie since last March 15, vs. Carolina. ``We are both hard-working teams and that showed tonight.''

What also showed was Nashville's fatigue after playing in Minnesota the night before. They managed only two shots in overtime to five for the Kings.

But Predators goaltender Chris Mason also came up big, stopping 33 shots to record his first NHL shutout.

Defenseman Jaroslav Modry took five shots and had a great look with a point-blank wrist shot early in the game. Luc Robitaille and Jozef Stumpel had four shots apiece.

Through it all, Mason could have been a winner. With 4:06 left in regulation, Denis Arkhipov fired at Cechmanek but hit the post.

In the final 90 seconds, Nashville had three excellent scoring chances, including one by Vladimir Orszagh. Cechmanek stopped them all.

``I was more focused tonight,'' he said. ``I feel good right now.''

Just over a month ago, Cechmanek was injured here during a first-period collision with Predators forward David Legwand. Cechmanek left that game with a bruised hip.

But they have won just once since that game and have to go the rest of the way without Palffy.

``You have to start small and build out,'' said Robitaille, who was held without a goal for his ninth consecutive game. ``Our penalty-killing was outstanding tonight.

``Special teams are the name of the game in the second half of any season. Teams are trying to preserve what they've got. When you get a chance to go on the power play, or when you are faced with a penalty- killing situation, you have to make the most of it.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Kings goalie Roman Cechmanek dives to block a shot by Scott Hartnell of the Predators on Tuesday.

(2) Kings defenseman Jason Holland, right, keeps Scott Hartnell of the Predators away from the puck Tuesday night.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Box:

CAN'T BUY A WIN