Photo: Monumental Sports
The Washington Capitals wrapped up their annual west coast swing with a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings Monday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The win improves the Capitals record to 33-20-7 (73 points) on the season. The Capitals now head east to Toronto for a tilt with the Maple Leafs on Thursday. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.
The current standings following the Capitals win:
SUMMARY
The Capitals struck first with a power play goal from Alex Ovechkin midway through the opening frame. Brent Connolly added a deflected goal just 20 seconds later to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead at the first intermission. Alex Ovechkin would add another power play goal in the middle frame for a 3-0 lead at the second intermission. The Kings would get on the scoreboard with a goal from Alex Iafallo midway through the final frame and Ilya Kovalchuk would add a tally at 19:32, to make it 3-2, and that would be the final.
STARTERS
Pheonix Copley (12-5-0-3, 3.02 GAA, .903 sv%) started between the pipes for the visiting Capitals. Jack Campbell (7-10-0, 2.23 GAA, .928 sv%) got the start in goal for the Kings. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Backstrom-Oshie
Burakovsky-Eller-Connolly
Stephenson-Dowd-Boyd
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
Scratches: Madison Bowey, Devante Smith-Pelly and Dmitrij Jaskin
FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals struck first with a power play goal from Alex Ovechkin at 11:48 of the first period. Ovechkin and John Carlson would pitch it back and forth four times before Ovechkin decided to let it rip. John Carlson (44) and Jakub Vrana (19) were credited with the assists. Carlson’s assist was the 300th assist of his NHL career.
The Capitals would quickly make it 2-0 with a redirected goal from Brett Connolly just 20 seconds later at 12:08 of the first period. Andre Burakovsky (10) and Dmitry Orlov (14) were credited with the assists.
The second period would end with the Capitals leading 2-0. The Capitals led in shot attempts 15-13, with the Kings leading in shots on goal (SOG) 10-7. The Capitals were 1 for 1 and the Kings 0 for 1 on the power play in the first period.
SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals would extend their lead to 3-0 with another power play goal from Alex Ovechkin at 5:27 of the second period. You’ll notice Evgeny Kuznetsov accidentally drift into Ovechkin’s shot lane, but quickly realize he needed to vacate, and did so just in time. John Carlson (45) and Nicklas Backstrom (43) were credited with the assists.
The period would conclude with the Capitals holding on to a 3-0 lead. The Kings led in shot attempts 14-8, with SOG tied 7-7.
THIRD PERIOD
The Kings would get on the scoreboard at 8:20 of the final frame with a goal from Alex Iafollo, his 13th of the season.
Ilya Kovalchuck would add a tally with 28 seconds left in the game, making it 3-2.
The Capitals would hang on for the 3-2 final.
SHAVINGS
- The last time the Capitals won in LA was December 14, 2005.
- John Carlson recorded an assist on Ovechkin’s first goal, marking his 300th career assist. He has become the third defenseman in franchise history to reach that milestone (Calle Johansson: 361 assists; Scott Stevens: 331 assists).
- John Carlson had two primary assists tonight. His 28 primary assists rank second among NHL defensemen this season (San Jose’s Brent Burns: 29).
- The NHL box score for the game is here.
Coach Reirden’s post game presser:
#Caps head coach Todd Reirden talks with the media after a 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings. #ALLCAPS #CapsKings pic.twitter.com/IxIO46xz7K
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 19, 2019
By Jon Sorensen
SCENES FROM LA.