Ovechkin, Kings Face Off in Highly Anticipated Clash on March 13

LOS ANGELES, California — The Washington Capitals and the Los Angeles Kings are set to clash at Crypto.com Arena tonight, with both teams riding waves of momentum from recent victories. The Capitals arrive after a commanding 7-4 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, while the Kings secured a decisive 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders on the same night.

All eyes will be on Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, who is nine goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky‘s all-time goal record. While Ovechkin’s chase for history has captivated hockey fans, tonight’s game holds additional significance. Kings center Pierre-Luc Dubois will make his long-awaited return to Los Angeles after last summer’s trade, and defenseman Matt Roy will also be back on the ice, this time wearing a Capitals jersey.

Dubois, who was acquired by the Capitals in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, will be met with mixed emotions. While excitement surrounds his return, the Kings’ fanbase is expected to offer a warm welcome to Roy, a former fan favorite.

This matchup comes at a crucial time for both teams. The Kings are vying for home-ice advantage in the playoffs and could leapfrog the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division with a win tonight. Kings coach Todd McLellan emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum. “Every game matters at this point in the season, and we need to capitalize on opportunities to improve our standings,” McLellan said.

Ovechkin, who has scored 33 goals this season, is coming off a strong performance since returning from injury, indicating he could play a pivotal role in tonight’s outcome. “I’m just focused on helping my team win, and if I can contribute to that record-breaking moment, then great,” Ovechkin stated. The Capitals have also expressed confidence in their recent form, with forward Dylan Strome contributing significantly to their success this season.

The Kings and Capitals will both showcase their projected lineups from their last games, with LA remaining unchanged. For the Capitals: Ovechkin, Strome, and Aliaksei Protas will form the top line, while Dubois will center Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson. In defense, Rasmus Sandin and John Carlson are expected to play critical roles in keeping the Kings at bay.

Los Angeles will field the same lineup that secured their recent win, with Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala leading the charge alongside promising young forward Quinton Byfield. The matchup marks the 27th meeting between Ovechkin and Kopitar, who have battled tightly over the years with the Kings currently holding a slight advantage in their head-to-head record.

Game time is set for 7:30 PM PT and can be viewed on the FanDuel Sports Network, with a radio feed available on the ESPN LA app. Fans attending the game can participate in the popular ‘Puck for a Buck’ contest for a chance to win an autographed puck from an NHL star.

As the teams prepare to take the ice, the buzz is palpable, with both sides eager to make a statement ahead of the playoff push.