Capitals Outlast Kings, 2-0

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Jon Sorensen
Photo: Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals downed the Los Angeles Kings, 2-0 Wednesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Ilya Samsonov stopped all 34 shots he faced for his fifth career shutout as the Capitals improved their record to 10-2-5 (25 points) on the season. The Capitals’ 25 points are now tied with the Florida Panthers for the most in the NHL.

 

SUMMARY

After a scoreless first and second period, the Capitals would finally break the seal late in the final frame with a gritty goal from Garnet Hathaway. Hathaway would also add an empty net goal late in regulation for the 2-0 final.

STATS

STARTERS

Ilya Samsonov (4-0-0-1, 2.92 GAA, .894 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Capitals. Jonathan Quick (4-3-0-1, 1.98 GAA, .935 sv%) got the start in goal for the Kings. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:

Scratches: Lars Eller (COVID protocol, second game), Nicklas Backstrom (hip – 17th straight game out of lineup), Nic Dowd (lower-body – fifth), T.J. Oshie (lower-body – tenth), Anthony Mantha (lower-body – seventh), Dennis Cholowski and Matt Irwin.

FIRST PERIOD

The Capitals and Kings skated to a scoreless draw in the first 20 minutes.

The Kings led in shot attempts 18-14 in the first period and led in scoring chances 8-6. High-danger chances were even 2-2. The Capitals led in expected goals for .75 to .40 in the first frame.

The Kings were 0 for 1 on the power play. The Capitals did not have a man advantage in the first frame and have not had a power play since 9:15 of the third period against the Penguins on Sunday.

SECOND PERIOD

The second period would also go scoreless.

The Capitals led in shot attempts 11-7 in the middle frame and 20-16 after 40 minutes. Kings led in scoring chances 4-3 and expected goals .28 to .22. Both sides were 0 for 1 on the power play after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The Capitals would finally get on the board with a goal from Garnet Hathaway (4) at 16:30 of the third period. John Carlson (10) had the lone helper.

Hathaway would add an empty net goal for the 2-0 final.

SHAVINGS

  • Ilya Samsonov recorded his fifth career shutout against Los Angeles. Samsonov stopped all 34 shots against, the most saves he has made in a shutout effort in his career.
  • Garnet Hathaway scored his fourth goal of the season to put the Capitals ahead 1-0. Hathaway has recorded five points (4g, 1a) in his last four games.
  • John Carlson recorded the primary assist on Hathaway’s goal, his 10th assist of the season. Carlson extends his assist streak to three games (4a).
  • Garnet Hathaway scored an empty net goal to extend the Capitals’ lead to 2-0. It marks Hathaway’s fourth career multi-goal game and his second multi-goal game in his last four outings.
  • The Capitals extend their point streak to six games (5-0-1), their second point streak of at least six games this season (eight-game point streak: Oct. 13 – Oct. 29: 5-0-3).
  • The Capitals improve to 10-2-5 on the season and 5-1-2 on the road. Washington’s .750 road point percentage ranks tied for second in the NHL (Carolina: .857; Tampa Bay: .750).
  • Garnet Hathaway registered six hits against Los Angeles, which led all skaters. Hathaway has recorded at least six hits in five of his 17 games played. Hathaway’s 61 hits this season lead the Capitals and rank third in the NHL.
  • Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded an assist against Los Angeles, his 15th assist of the season. Kuznetsov’s 21 points (6g, 15a) in 17 games this season rank tied for fourth in the NHL.
  • The Capitals’ 25 points are tied with the Florida Panthers for the most in the NHL.

SCENES FROM LOS ANGELES

About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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4 Responses to Capitals Outlast Kings, 2-0

  1. nonna427 says:
    November 18, 2021 at 1:24 am

    Hathaway has reached a new level of BEAST, WOOHOO!!!

    Reply
  2. steven says:
    November 18, 2021 at 1:41 am

    Great games the last 2 nights. The rookies areplaying well and holding their own.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    November 18, 2021 at 3:04 am

    How were Axel? Pinho? Leasson?

    Reply

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