Tonight the Los Angeles Kings will take on the Washington Capitals in the nation’s . . . capital. Puck-drop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PST (7:00 p.m. EST) at the Verizon Center.
Los Angeles enters tonight after a lackluster performance in Boston against the Bruins. L.A. lost 3-1, allowing an empty net goal with 17-seconds left.
The Kings are firmly sitting in 5th place in the Pacific Division, and 9th place in the Western Conference. L.A. is 3 points from the Vancouver Canucks, who currently are 4th in the Pacific. The Kings need to make that big push now.
L.A. has been in Washington for a few nights: taking in the sites, visiting President Barack Obama at the White House for a congratulatory ceremony for their 2014 Stanley Cup victory. You know, the usual.
Hopefully the rest and championship visit with the President has inspired the team’s road game. L.A. is currently 5-10-6 on the road, third worst in the NHL.
Washington comes into the game tonight after a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. The Caps went 0-1-1 over the weekend losing to the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in overtime on Saturday.
The Capitals are 4th in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 25-15-10 for 60 points. They are also 8th in the Eastern Conference, just on the cusp of a playoff spot. In 24 games this season the Caps are 13-6-5 at home in the Verizon Center.
Los Angeles Kings
From L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen the Kings lines at the morning skate were as follows:
Forwards:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Dwight King – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Kyle Clifford – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Trevor Lewis – Andy Andreoff – Jordan Nolan
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Robyn Regehr – Alec Martinez
Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Jonathan Quick will be starting in goal for the Kings. Quick has to be a big part of the Kings push to the playoffs.
Quick was performing well early in the season, but his numbers took a dive when the Kings started to struggle in January.
No word on who will start at center for the Kings 4th line. Nick Shore is traveling with the team, but head coach Darryl Sutter may change things up in an effort to light a fire under the team.
Andy Andreoff wasn’t a big scorer for the King when he played earlier in the season. He fits the role of a fourth line center: he’s big, plays physically, and hustles to get the puck into the hands of his wingers.
It hasn’t been announced which player will dress, and L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen expects both to suit up for warm-ups.
Stars and Sticks
Capitals players to keep an eye on:
Nicklas Backstrom is the Capitals top center. Backstrom leads the team in points and assists. In 50 games this season Backstrom has 15 goals, 37 assists, 52 points, a +4 plus/minus rating and one power-play goal.
Backstrom is a dangerous puck mover; he’s vital to feeding Alex Ovechkin on the power-play. Backstrom is smaller for a center but he’s good with the puck on his stick. Head coach Barry Trotz has said he believes Backstrom to be one of the best centers in the NHL.
Brooks Orpik is new to the Capitals roster this year. Brooks is a big, physical, stay-at-home defensemen. He’s been known to knock players off the puck, and a few out of the game.
Orpik is still looking for his first goal of the season, with 1o assists and 10 points in 50 games. Orpik also has an even plus/minus and 48 penalty minutes. Orpik has battled some injuries in his career, but he’ll continue to play his hard-hitting game on the blue line.
Everyone knows Alexander Ovechkin’s name. Ovechkin has had the reputation of one of the league’s top players and best scorers since he entered the league. In 50 games this season Ovechkin is already a 30 goal scorer; he has 31 goals, 17 assists, 48 points, a +11 rating – up from his league worst of -35 last year, and 14 power-play goals.
Clearly, Drew Doughty can’t take any penalties tonight or it’s going to cost the Kings.
Both teams, on the fringe of a playoffs spot in the standings, need two-points from tonight’s game. It should be an East – West battle.
Go Kings Go!
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Mar 20, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) and Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (81) in the third period of the game at Staples Center. The Kings won in a shootout 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports