The Kings of Los Angeles dominated on the ice at home, excluding the capitals of Washington 3-0 in a declaration of declaration at Crypto.com Arena. Goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper was impeccable in his first match for his former team since his exchange during the summer, failed everything 21 strokes Faced with recording its third laundering of the year.
The defense of the Kings was just as robust, holding Alex Ovechkin without even a single shot to the goal – an unusual view against one of the best scorers in the NHL. The victory extended the Kings victories sequence with four games and was a significant booster of confidence when they moved to second place in the Pacific division.
Los Angeles has shown great defensive discipline and capitalized on their chances of scoring their first defeat in six games. Washington’s powerful attack on the powerful attack on the powerful attack on their growing cohesion and their tenacity in high issues.
A high challenges test spent with flying colors
This competition turned out to be more than another regular season game – it was a real decisive test of the Kings qualifiers, and they responded with force. The Kings could suffocate the Washington offensive, by displaying one of their most complete performances of the season.
Their organized defense has persisted in frustrating the capitals, and their ability to stifle the chances of Ovechkin was a testimony to their improved capacity to lock the talents of the top. With Kuemper standing in the net and tastes of Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield who intervene when it counted the most, everyone contributed a goal.
Combined with Eight blows on the goalThe Kings have collectively proven that they could follow the high -level teams when it is important.
The Kings are now 16-1-1 each time they score the first points at home, proving their domination when they get to good starts.
In this match, the Kings were looking for the second seeded just behind the Oilers, but with the victory today and the Oilers losing their last two games, is now at the top. Since the deadline for trade, the Kings looked like the team they were back in January, winning four games in a row and now 15 games above .500.
The well -balanced attack on the Kings, the good goalkeeper and the improvement of the offensive department turned out to be worthy this evening against a formidable team. It was proven against the Capitals’ Mortal mixture of Savvy and young veterans that this season was difficult to beat.
The Kings specialized teams, which were the catalyst for their recent success, proved to be dominant against the power game of Washington, which was among the best in the League. Also, with Darcy Kuemper Face their former team after the trade in summer to Pierre-Luc DuboisKuemper did not seem to be won. He remained locked up throughout the match, locking the best offense.
The pursuit of Ovechkin’s goal has stalled
The attention center in this match was Alex Ovechkin – the future renowned temple with 886 goals. To his credit, he only needed nine additional goals to break the record of Wayne Gretzky.
However, this evening’s match was disappointing because there are goals behind the brand of all time of Wayne Gretzky. The defensive suffocation of the Kings of the typical Ovechkin rating avenues even prevented him from taking a shot to the goal.
The Kings not only held Alex Ovechkin aimlessly, but the capital striker also went without shooting for the second time this season.
– Russell Morgan (@nhlrussell) March 14, 2025
This performance was surprisingly silent for a player who marked anywhere on the ice. With time in his favor this season, Ovechkin will seek to catch up quickly when he continues the history of the NHL.
For the Kings, they did not care about the record that Ovechkin flowed at all. Ovechkin’s marking capacity is a unique feat, and he had a career in the score in major situations, but today, he was held without shooting for the second time this season.
The defense of the Kings remained alert, did not force too many stupid penalties and looked at Ovechkin closely each time he rose on the ice.
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Matt Roy Return
The Kings exchanged Dubois for Kuemper during the offseason, and it was a success for the two teams. Dubois was an integral part of the punch of the capital. Dubois was an excellent addition to the national capital by recording 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists), offering a size and quality to the position of the capital.
It would be interesting to see what the two players would do against their old teams tonight. However, Roy had a hard time starting, finishing with zero goals and shots on goal, while Dubois had a solid outing.
On the other hand, Dubois has obtained six shots on goal, approaching several times on several occasions, but was short with the defense of Kuemper on the goal line. But the whole capital team was struggling tonight. It was not just individual players; The team looked unprepared for what would happen to them.
Kuemper’s first game against the old team
Another interesting intrigue entering this match was the return of goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper, who was facing his former team for the first time since he was sent to Los Angeles during the offseason as part of a profession that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Kuemper’s return against his former team seemed that capital can regret getting rid of him during the offseason. Kuemper balance and net positioning were essential to neutralize Washington’s attack. He saved the 21 shots that the capital launched to him, in particular during a crucial killing in the second period which kept the momentum in favor of the Kings. His performance recalled why he was such a key article for capital before the summer trade.
With a percentage of .915 stops and an average of 2.29 goals, Kuemper was a solid player for the Kings all season, keeping them to fight for home ice for the playoffs. Kuemper’s familiarity with the capital list played a huge advantage in this evening match.
Having spent a lot of time in Washington, he seemed to know their shooters and was prepared for what came to him. His first match against them did not phase him; If anything, that motivated him the whole game. Given his history, Kuemper was born for moments like this and was concentrated when it counted the most: helping the Kings to beat one of the best teams in the League.
🎶 We want you to babyyyyy 🎶 pic.twitter.com/numsxjxma
– La Kings (@Lakings) March 14, 2025
A team to fear
With this resounding victory against one of the best teams in the League, the Kings have clearly indicated that they are a legitimate competitor of the playoffs. Keeping Ovechkin in check, stifling Washington’s attack and showing a great balance in great moments also marks kings as a dangerous candidate possible in the playoffs.
Their defensive depth, their defensive skills and their goalkeeper established them as a team that can abuse high -level teams, and they should take this declaration victory.
After the victory, Kuemper had one thing to say after their victory against the capital.
"We have an eye on trying to go home in the playoffs," said Vezina’s finalist.
