Capitals 4, Kings 0
Troy Brouwer scored twice while playing his 500th career contest and Braden Holtby recorded his league high-tying sixth shutout as host Washington snapped its seven-game winless streak versus Los Angeles.
Nicklas Backstrom collected a goal and an assist while Eric Fehr also tallied for the Capitals, who posted just their second victory in eight contests (2-4-2) and defeated the Kings in regulation at home for the first time since April 4, 1998. Holtby finished with 27 saves to pull even with Pittsburgh All-Star Marc-Andre Fleury in shutouts and improved to 9-0-2 in his last 11 starts at Verizon Center.
After visiting the White House on Monday for the second time in three years, the Kings came out flat en route to falling for the sixth time in seven overall games (1-4-2) and eighth in nine tilts on the road (1-6-2). Jonathan Quick turned aside 23 shots in dropping to 4-1-0 lifetime against Washington.
Evgeny Kuznetsov sent a no-look backhand feed from the left corner to the low slot for an unmarked Brower, who shoveled the puck past Quick with 2:49 remaining in the first period to open the scoring. Brouwer added his second of the night with 3:24 left in the second, deftly deflecting defenseman Mike Green's blast from the point for a power-play goal.
A turnover behind Los Angeles' net resulted in Backstrom concluding a tic-tac-toe passing sequence 5:50 into the third period before Fehr took advantage of another miscue to tally 59 seconds later. The offense proved to be more than enough for Holtby, who highlighted his 17th career shutout - and second in three starts - by stopping Marian Gaborik on a breakaway and Jeff Carter from point-blank range in the second period.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Brouwer's multi-goal performance was the 15th of his career. ... Washington's Andre Burakovsky returned to the lineup after serving as a scratch for three games and played left wing for the first time this season. ... Capitals LW Aaron Volpatti logged 9:03 of ice time in his season debut after being activated from long-term injured reserve.