WASHINGTON (AP) — Aliaksei Protas scored twice and the Washington Capitals defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Sunday night, securing their place atop the Eastern Conference standings. Jakub Vrana also chipped in with a goal, and Pierre-Luc Dubois delivered two assists, showcasing his growth within the team.
The game played at Capital One Arena delivered excitement as fans witnessed the Capitals once again take control of the league rankings. With this win, the Capitals improved their standing to 21-9-2, pushing their record to the best position within the Eastern Conference as they moved past fellow contenders.
Logan Thompson, the Capitals' goaltender, made 25 saves and improved to 13-2-2 for the season. On the other end, Kings' David Rittich saved 18 shots but fell to 10-8 after the loss.
The Capitals have been embroiled in significant ups and downs this season, especially with the absence of star winger Alex Ovechkin, who has been sidelined due to injury. Protas stepped up evidently, matching his career high of 29 points, which he had achieved last season but with far fewer games played.
The first period was characterized by tight defensive plays from both teams, making for slow yet strategic gameplay. The Capitals broke the ice when Aliaksei Protas scored during the 10:20 mark, thanks to assists from P. Dubois and C. McMichael. This marked Protas’s fourth goal within the last six games, reinforcing his burgeoning role as key offensive talent.
Despite facing down good defense and only slight lead margins, the Kings managed to answer back. Kevin Fiala tied the game at 1-1 early during the second period with their power-play goal; this finally broke their frustrating streak of being shut out on the power play throughout the prior games in their demanding road trip.
The ebb and flow continued as Jakub Vrana scored for the Capitals at the 14:18 mark of the second, reclaiming the lead with his sixth goal of the season. That goal sent ripples through the crowd as the momentum seemed to shift back to the Capitals who left tight opportunities for the Kings to follow.
Yet once again, the Kings kept striving to catch up but struggled as the Capitals held their ground effectively, limiting shot attempts at pivotal moments. Washington had to leverage every ounce of control on the ice, especially during five-on-five situations, and they maintained notable lead margins across shots on goal.
Entering the third period, the Capitals found themselves pressured but not broken. Rasmus Sandin played well defensively, managing to shut down Fiala’s potential breakaway attempt within the final stretch of the game. Instead, it was Protas who capitalized again, scoring his second of the night through an empty-net goal at the final moments of the game, sealing the Capitals’ 3-1 victory.
Dubois, who joined the Capitals after enduring difficulties during his previous stint at the Kings, namely not clicking well with team dynamics, has been thriving since moving to Washington. He expressed joy at the game’s conclusion, stating, "It feels good. It feels a little extra special" to net this win against his former team. His performance is pivotal as he brings 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) through 33 games this season, appearing on track for his first 60-point season since 2022-23.
Dubois's adaptability has also aided Capitals’ head coach, offering new tactical dimensions without Ovechkin. He has been involved significantly on the ice, contributing greatly during power plays, which have been increasingly important for the Capitals this season.
The Kings, facing pressure and challenges with their power-play strategy, finished their road trip with 3-2-2 overall. Although their power play struggles persisted until this game, Fiala's goal signaled hope for improvement moving forward.
Next, the Capitals face the Boston Bruins on Monday, bracing for another tough contest as they aim to maintain the momentum from this victory. Meanwhile, the Kings will return home to host the Edmonton Oilers, needing to regroup after their past matches and adjust accordingly for upcoming challenges.
This game highlighted not just the strengths of the Capitals but also the persisting challenges for the Kings, making for yet another exciting chapter within the ever-competitive NHL season.
