Kings worry about losses

The concerns the Kings now have go beyond another woeful performance. They now extend to Anze Kopitar’s health.

Sure, the 6-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday was an eyesore for the announced 16,854 in a fairly vacant Staples Center. The Kings turned a one-goal lead into a three-goal loss during a seven-minute stretch of the third period.

But this was merely another loss for a Kings season scrapbook that is already bulging with them. The Predators scored three power-play goals, two of which erased a 3-2 Kings lead in the third period. The third-period collapse was the result of a lackadaisical start and mistake-laden finish, though there were those on the Kings who felt a bit cheated.

“The power play was the difference,” the Kings’ Scott Thornton said. “I thought we played with them five on five. We were playing against guys who dive all over the place and fool referees night after night. It’s tough to play against a bunch of little guys going out there doing that.”

Coach Marc Crawford saw it a bit differently.

“It’s hard to argue too much with the way we came out today,” Crawford said.

Besides, Crawford had a bigger worry.

Kopitar, whose rookie season has been a glimmer of hope for the Kings and their fans, sat out a second consecutive game and will not accompany the team on a four-game, eight-day trip. He will remain in Los Angeles to be treated for what the Kings call a strained upper-body muscle.

“Our medical staff feels it’s best for him to stay,” Crawford said. “He needs some time with this type of strain.”

The strain, actually, may be in believing that the injury is limited to a strained muscle. Kopitar said he was injured at the end of practice Wednesday.

“I really don’t know how it happened,” he said.

Asked if Kopitar had undergone an MRI exam on whatever part of his body was injured, Crawford said, “No.”

Kopitar, though, said he underwent an MRI exam after practice Wednesday and added that his injury was “getting better.”

The Kings are cautious with the 19-year-old Kopitar, who ranks third among rookies with 56 points while logging more than 20 minutes per game as the team’s top center. He has become the face of the team with fans and probably will be a big part of the pitch to season-ticket holders to renew.

“We’re going to be careful with this,” Crawford said.

Meanwhile, the Kings were less diligent on the ice.

Michael Cammalleri’s second goal of the game gave the Kings a 3-2 lead 5 minutes 7 seconds into the third period. The Kings did nothing after that.

Jaroslav Modry went to the penalty box for hooking. Paul Kariya tied the score with a one-timer 5:47 into the period. Rob Blake went off for tripping. Marek Zidlicky buried a shot for a 4-3 lead 8:39 into the period.

Jean-Pierre Dumont and Kariya then tidied things up with goals.

“They capitalized on their opportunities,” Crawford said. “That’s what great offensive players do, especially when you give them seven power plays.”

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Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky sat out Saturday because of an injury to his left ankle.... Cammalleri’s two goals gave him a career-high 27.

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chris.foster@latimes.com