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National Hockey League
Washington 4, Los Angeles 3
When: 3:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 7, 2024
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
Referees: Ghislain Hebert, Kevin Pollock
Linesmen: Steve Barton, Ben O'Quinn
Attendance: 18573

John Carlson scored with 52.9 seconds remaining in regulation as the host Washington Capitals edged the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on Sunday.

Carlson's point shot got past Cam Talbot for his third of the season. Nicolas Aube-Kubel scored a goal and added two assists, while Nic Dowd had a goal and one helper for Washington.

Dylan Strome had the other Capitals goal, and Darcy Kuemper made 38 saves as Washington avoided a third straight loss.

With the victory, the Capitals swept the season series against the Kings. Washington won the only other matchup between the two clubs, 2-1 on Nov. 29. Washington improved to 8-2-0 against Los Angeles since the 2018-19 season.

Kevin Fiala scored twice for Los Angeles, and Adrian Kempe had the other for the Kings, who have lost a season-high five straight games. Talbot stopped 30 shots in the loss.

Fiala gave Los Angeles a 3-2 lead on a power play with a backhand shot past Kuemper for his 10th of the season at 1:01 of the third period.

Washington tied it 3-3 at 8:36 of the third when Aube-Kubel beat a screened Talbot blocker-side for his fourth of the season.

The teams were tied 2-2 after two periods.

Washington opened the scoring at 4:22 of the middle period when Dowd beat Talbot with a backhand shot for his sixth of the season. The center has points in four of his last five games.

Kempe tied the game 1-1 on a power play, one-timing Drew Doughty's feed. It appeared to redirect off Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary and past Kuemper at 7:12 of the second period for Kempe's 15th of the season.

The Kings took their first lead of the afternoon when Fiala put home the rebound of Phillip Danault's shot at 13:02 of the second.

Strome tied it 2-2 at 15:35, completing a 2-on-0 give-and-go with Alex Ovechkin for his team-leading 15th of the season. Ovechkin, a game-time decision, now has points in five straight.

With the secondary assist, Max Pacioretty picked up his first point of the season.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Los Angeles   Washington
Kevin Fiala 2 Points Nicolas Aube-Kubel 3
Kevin Fiala 2 Goals Nicolas Aube-Kubel 1
Mikey Anderson 1 Assists Nicolas Aube-Kubel 2
Kevin Fiala 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Cam Talbot .882 Save Percentage Darcy Kuemper .927
Cam Talbot 30 Saves Darcy Kuemper 38
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Los Angeles 41 3 2-3 1-1 2 28
Washington 34 4 0-1 1-3 6 29
Upcoming Games
  • Washington will play their next game at home against Seattle. The Capitals have a W/L % of .556 after a win and .450 after a loss.
  • Los Angeles will play their next game on the road against Tampa Bay. The Kings have a W/L % of .650 after a win and .438 after a loss.