WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals clinched a narrow 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the Capital One Arena on Sunday, with John Carlson scoring the decisive goal in the final minute. Carlson’s long shot from the right boards, his first goal and an assist of the game, ended the Capitals’ three-game winless streak and marked their first victory in three games.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel was a standout for the Capitals, achieving his first three-point NHL game with a goal and two assists. Nic Dowd also contributed with a goal and an assist, and Alex Ovechkin extended his point streak to five games with an assist. Goalie Darcy Kuemper made 38 saves, playing a key role in the win.
The Kings, led by Kevin Fiala’s two goals and Adrian Kempe’s power-play goal, suffered their season-high fifth straight loss (0-3-2). Fiala’s third-period goal briefly put the Kings ahead, but Aube-Kubel tied the game for the Capitals. Goalie Cam Talbot made 30 saves for Los Angeles.
The game saw the Capitals initially leading with Dowd’s second-period goal, only for the Kings to respond with goals from Kempe and Fiala. Strome then tied the game for Washington before Carlson’s late heroics sealed the win for the Capitals.
The match also featured notable achievements, with Kempe’s goal marking the 295th time Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty factored into the same goal, a significant milestone in NHL history.
Injuries and debuts also played a part in the game’s dynamics. Capitals forward Tom Wilson briefly left the game due to a bloody nose, and Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke made his season debut.
The Capitals will look to build on this victory, while the Kings aim to break their losing streak in their upcoming games.
