There’s a high-profile matchup happening later tonight in Washington, as two Stanley Cup contenders in the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals lock horns for the first time this season.
The Capitals are coming off a loss that snapped their five-game win streak. The Kings, meanwhile, are looking to establish consistency, as they haven’t won back to back since January 19. Read on for a breakdown of this matchup. You can also check out our preview of the Flyers vs. Devils.
TV Broadcast: FSWHD (Local: LAK)/ CSNB (Local: WAS)
Betting on the Los Angeles Kings (33-19-3)
Possession is the name of the Kings’ game. They’re third in the league in shots per game (32.4) and first in shot attempt percentage (56.7). Their hunger for the puck was on full display last Saturday, albeit in a 1-0 loss to New Jersey, as the Kings had majority of the possession, outshooting New Jersey 28-18 and winning the faceoff battle, 31-25.
The Kings are about to face the league’s best offense in Washington, but their impressive crew of defensemen led by Norris Trophy candidate Drew Doughty should help the team slow down the Caps’ high-flying attack. The Kings allow the sixth-fewest shots on goal with opponents taking just 27.9 per contest.
With Jonathan Quick unlikely to play tonight due to a lower body injury, Doughty and company will have to play shutdown hockey on the blue line to help make life easier for either Jhonas Enroth or Peter Budaj. Enroth is the good bet to start later tonight after a decent outing against the Devils, stopping 17 of the 18 shots he’s faced.
The Kings could also be playing minus Marian Gaborik, who suffered a lower body injury in a 5-4 overtime win against the Rangers on Friday. The Kings, however, have other talented scorers to fill in the void such as Tyler Toffoli and Anze Kopitar, who have 23 and 16 goals, respectively.
LA is 3-1 in its last four games in Washington.
Betting on the Washington Capitals (40-10-4)
The Capitals didn’t have a nice ending to their three-game road trip, as they were ambushed 4-3 in Dallas on Saturday. Despite the loss, the Caps remain head and shoulders above everyone else in the Metropolitan Division with 84 points.
Washington will look to get back on track later tonight, as they welcome the Kings to Verizon Center, where the Caps are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Washington had a horrible second period against the Stars, wherein Dallas scored all of its goals. While the Caps scored three unanswered goals in the third period, it was too little and too late for them to complete a come-from-behind victory.
It wasn’t also Braden Holtby’s night, as the usually dependable goalie surrendered four goals on 25 shots he faced.
Holtby, however, deserves a bit of a pass considering the way he’s been playing this month. In six starts this February, Holtby is 5-1 with a 2.66 GAA and a .907 SV%. Moreover, Holtby is nearly automatic when playing at home, as he’s 18-2-1 with a 1.99 GAA and .929 SV% in 22 games played at home thus far this season.
On offense, the Caps have averaged 3.5 goals over their last five games. Alex Ovechkin, who scored a goal against Dallas, has seven goals this February. The second line unit that features former King Justin Williams and Evgeny Kuznetsov is also producing well of late, with both players combining for two goals and seven assists in six games.
Washington is No. 1 in the NHL in power play percentage (24.4) and sixth in penalty kill percentage (83.6).
