Game Thread: Washington Capitals at Los Angeles Kings 3/20/14 | 10:30pm

[Cobiemonster]

vs.

at

Game Time: 10:30pm EST/7:30pm PST - FS-West​

CAPITALS (33-27-10) at KINGS (38-25-6)

TV: CSN-DC+, FS-W

Last 10: Washington 5-4-1; Los Angeles 7-3-0

Season series: This is the first of two games between the Washington Capitals and Los Angeles Kings, who play again at Verizon Center on March 25. They haven't played since Jan. 9, 2012, when Anze Kopitar had the go-ahead goal in L.A.'s 5-2 win at Staples Center.

Big story: The Capitals are looking to extend their winning streak to four in a row as they battle for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Kings are trying to prevent their losing streak from reaching four games as they try to solidify third place in the Pacific Division.

Team Scope:

Capitals: A potential make-or-break three-game road trip for Washington started off on the right foot Tuesday with a 3-2 win against an Anaheim Ducks team fighting for the Pacific crown. The Capitals dominated special teams, killing off five penalties and scoring a pair of power-play goals, including Alex Ovechkin's decisive goal early in the third period, his NHL-leading 46th.

Jaroslav Halak has settled in as the No. 1 goalie since he was acquired at the NHL Trade Deadline and has stopped 140 of 149 shots in his past four starts (.940 save percentage). In beating the Ducks, he established a career high with his 28th win of the season.

"He certainly knows what he's doing and he's been huge for us so far," defenseman John Carlson said in the Washington Post. "Can't complain with that."

Kings: It's been a streaky past couple of months for Los Angeles, which went 1-8-1 before winning its final game prior to the 2014 Sochi Olympics and then won seven straight after the break until hitting another speed bump. Their 4-3 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday whittled the Kings' lead for third in the Pacific to five points. They're seven points up on the Dallas Stars, the team with the most points not currently occupying a playoff spot.

"It's a battle in the West, and we have to sharpen up," defenseman Alec Martinez said in the Orange County Register.

That's particularly true at Staples Center, where they've dropped the first three of a five-game homestand. The Kings are 19-13-3 at home compared to 19-12-3 on the road. Once this homestand concludes, seven of their final 11 games will be on the road.

Who's hot: Capitals forward Joel Ward has a goal in three straight games. Forward Troy Brouwer has three goals in the past two games. … Kings forward Marian Gaborik has goals in two of his past three games.

Injury report: Washington defenseman John Erskine (upper body) and forwards Brooks Laich (groin), Mikhail Grabovski (ankle) and Aaron Volpatti (upper body) are out. … Los Angeles forward Dustin Brown (illness) is day-to-day.

Washington Capitals at Los Angeles Kings - 03/20/2014

 

[Cobiemonster]

Jake Muzzin back in, Matt Greene out

 

[higgyfan4]

I'm wide awake for this one!!!

GO KINGS GO!!!

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

Let's go Red Kings <clap, clap, clap clap clap>

 

[higgyfan4]

Good thing I don't have a job anymore otherwise I wouldn't be staying up for this one tonight.

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

Good thing I don't have a job anymore otherwise I wouldn't be staying up for this one tonight.

Are you waiting for one to open up in Michigan now? Did you imagine your boss was Dash and killed him in a rit of fealous jage?

 

[Cobiemonster]

Kings have only won six of their last 14 games at Staples Center and just three of their last nine - home ice has to be way better for them

 

[Cobiemonster]

Nice fight by Kyle Clifford and Tom Wilson

 

[Cobiemonster]

Number one power play in the league is going on the power play - need a big kill here Kings

 

[higgyfan4]

Kopitar!!!

 

[Cobiemonster]

Kopi!!!!!! 1-0 Kings!

 

[hokiehi21]

how in the fug did that squeak thru halak

 

[hokiehi21]

at least i got mah survivor pick right. moral victories

 

[Cobiemonster]

Kings getting a power play here late in the first period - need to take advantage of it and make this a two goal game

 

[Cobiemonster]

at least i got mah survivor pick right. moral victories

They should make a banner that says

2013-14
NHL Survivor Correct Pick
Moral Victory

 

[hokiehi21]

that penalty was not necessary. a PPG here late in the 1st could be an early dagger

 

[gobigred]

1k vcash on LA and 1k on under so go Kings and under 5.5

 

[hokiehi21]

They should make a banner that says

2013-14
NHL Survivor Correct Pick
Moral Victory

i would win that a lot, cause i usually pick guys playin against the Caps

 

[hokiehi21]

1k vcash on LA and 1k on under so go Kings and under 5.5

you basitd! you saw my 800 bet on LA and had to go higher

 

[Cobiemonster]

Good period for the Kings leading 1-0 - need to keep this play up and especially stay out of the box