The Washington Capitals earned a 3-1 win over the Los Angels Kings to improve their record to 23-8-2 for 48 points. That's good for first in the Metropolitan Divisoin and Eastern Conference as well as second in the NHL as of this writing.
Aliaksei Protas put the Caps up 1-0 at 10:20 of the opening period, set up by Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael, for the latter his 13th assist on he season. That would be the score after one as the Caps led in shots 8-7.
In the second each team traded power play goals. First it was Kevin Fiala with his 13th of the season at 4:10 to tie the game. Jakub Vrana gave the Caps the lead with a PPG, his second consecutive game with a goal and his sixth of the season overall. PLD notched his 20th assist.
Caps were outshot 9-7 in the second period but had the 2-1 lead entering the third period of play. Protas put the game away with an empty net goal for another two goal effort for the 2019 draft pick, upping his goal total to 13 and 14, respectively, on the season.
Caps were outshot 10-6 in the third period and 26-21 overall but Logan Thompson would get the win in goal for the home squad as he stopped 25 shots on 26 attempts for a .962 save percentage. The Caps also had the edge on the face off dot, 67.3 percent to 32.7 percent.
It was a revenge game if you will for PLD, who was sent to the Kings in the Darcy Kuemper exchange back on June 19. Thompson spoke to the media after the game and would say this to Harvey Valentine of NHL.com:
"That was a fun game. It was a playoff style game. I've played against L.A. for a couple of years now, so I kind of know their style and they really don't give up a lot. We knew it was going to be a tight game back and fourth, and credit to the guys, we stuck with it. It's a huge two points. "Logan Thompson
The Caps will have a quick turnaround as they take on the Boston Bruins tonight at 7 p.m. on Monumental Sports Network as well as 106.7 The Fan and Caps Radio 24/7.