Capitals Fall to Kings, 3-2; Joe Snively Earns First Assist in NHL Debut

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Della Young
Photo: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The Washington Capitals fell to the Los Angeles Kings by a score of 3-2 at Capital One Arena on Sunday night. The loss drops the Capitals’ record on the season to 18-6-7 and 43 points. Goaltender Vitek Vanecek made 21 saves in the loss.

Lines & Pairs

Graphic: @Capitals

Scratches: Defensemen Dennis Cholowski and Matt Irwin

COVID-19 Protocol: Centers Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom remain. On Sunday, forward T.J. Oshie was added and forward Garnet Hathaway was activated off the list. Minutes before puck drop, the team announced forward Michael Sgarbossa was unavailable due to the protocol.

Transactions: The Capitals recalled forward Joe Snively Sunday morning from the AHL’s Hershey Bears. Forward Tom Wilson was placed on injured reserve.

First Period

At the 7:58 mark, center Connor McMichael (4) opened the scoring and gave the Capitals an early 1-0 lead. Snively assisted, picking up his first NHL point.

Quick Stats

SOG: 15-5 Capitals

Face-Off Win %: 71% (Kings), 29% (Capitals)

Hits: 14-10 Kings

Second Period

Defenseman Justin Shultz (2) would extend the Capitals’ lead 2-0 at the 13:47 mark. Forward Conor Sheary (8) and Hathaway (3) had the helpers.

The Kings would cut the Capitals’ lead 2-1 at the 17:04 mark with a shorthanded tally by center Blake Lizotte.

Quick Stats

Total SOG: 25-15 Capitals

Face-Off Win %: 65% (Kings), 35% (Capitals)

Total Hits: 22-13 Kings

Third Period

The Kings tied it up 2-2 at the 2:50 mark when defenseman Christian Wolanin scored on a 4-on-4 situation.

Center Adrian Kempe would give the Kings a 3-2 lead at the 9:36 mark, which they would maintain for the remainder of the game.

Quick Stats

Total SOG: 35-24 Capitals

Face-Off Win %: 60% (Kings), 40% (Capitals)

Total Hits: 31-30 Kings

Notes Through the Game

  • Snively made his NHL debut and became the first player from the state of Virginia to play for the Capitals.
  • Sheary now has points in five straight games (2g, 4a), a new career-long point streak.
  • The Capitals were 0/6 on the power-play.

The Capitals start a quick two-game road trip before the Christmas break and face the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday. ESPN+/Hulu will have the coverage beginning at 7 PM ET.

By Della Young

About Della Young

Della Young is an aspiring novelist and screenwriter who earned a BFA in Creative Writing from Full Sail University in 2021. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Screenwriting from Regent University. Della comes from a family of big Capitals fans and became inspired to start writing for hockey in 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and working on both sides of the camera. Follow Della on Twitter: @dellayoung
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4 Responses to Capitals Fall to Kings, 3-2; Joe Snively Earns First Assist in NHL Debut

  1. DC Scappeli says:
    December 19, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    Forsythe must go.

    Reply
    • Marky says:
      December 20, 2021 at 9:18 am

      I expected not much from any power plays because the Caps are down so much skill due to protocols. I wouldn’t pin yesterday on the coach.

      Reply
    • James W Lewis says:
      December 20, 2021 at 9:39 am

      Any evaluation of the Cap’s performance must include the fact that this roster is so depleted that they don’t even resemble the team that began the season. I’m amazed that they are able to compete as well as they have.

      This COVID protocol has got to stop. These are young, fit men who have been fully vaccinated. As long as they don’t mingle with the fans (and even if they did), I don’t see the purpose of making them sit out. If they’re too ill to play, they sit; if not, they play.

      Reply

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