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.
Mikey lights the lamp! pic.twitter.com/thDnjEEAAE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 20, 2021
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.
Schultzy to the roof! pic.twitter.com/keKVRZGYJl
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 20, 2021
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
Forsythe must go.
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.
perhaps not for yesterday’s game, but Forsythe has needed to go since like two years ago
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.