The Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., will host a late Sunday afternoon matchup between two National Hockey League (NHL) clubs who have been playing well.
Starting at 5 p.m., the Los Angeles Kings (19-9-5, Pacific Division) will take on the host Washington Capitals (22-8-2, Metropolitan Division).
ESPN+ offers it for viewing (plans start at $11.99/month).
Before returning to the West Coast for a first-game homestand that will continue into the new year, the Kings are finishing up a seven-game road trip.
Two of the losses occurred in overtime, but they have split the six games thus far. They have a 9-7-4 road record and an 8-1-2 record in their past 11 games.
Nick Blankenburg scored 1:03 into overtime as the Los Angeles team fell to the Nashville Predators 3-2 on Saturday.
On Friday, December 20, 2024, in Washington, left wing Jakub Vrana (13) of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes. (Photo by Nick Wass/AP)AP
For the Kings, who are 8-1-2 in their previous 11 games, Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere scored goals, and Darcy Kuemper recorded 23 saves.
With 37 points, Anze Kopitar leads the Kings, followed by Adrian Kempe, who has 31 points. With 16, he leads the team in goals as well.
The time in goal has been divided between David Rittich (16 starts, 10-7-0-0, 2.49 goals-against average) and Kuemper (18 starts, 8-2-0-5, 2.40 goals-against average).
The Kings are 0 for 10 in their last six games without scoring a goal with a man-advantage.
Despite losing star Alex Ovechkin due to a broken left fibula, Washington, 7-2-1 in their previous ten games, has been playing well. He might be back in Toronto as early as December 28. Since losing their captain, Ovechkin, they have won nine out of thirteen games.
With two goals in the last minute of each period from Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael, and 23 stops from Charlie Lindgren, Washington is 10-4-2 at home, including a 3-1 victory against visiting Carolina on Friday night.
On one specific 3-on-1 rush in the second period, Lindgren was outstanding. He robbed Tyler Jost with a twisting glove stop to keep the Capitals ahead, and the home crowd gave him a long standing ovation.
On Saturday, December 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper, 35, stops a shot on goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators. (George Walker IV/AP Photo)AP
He reduced his goals-against average to 2.59 and improved his record to 10-6-0-0.
McMichael leads the team in goals (16) and points (28), while Dylan Strome leads with 38.
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