Kings score three in the third to hand Capitals a 5-2 loss at Capital One Arena

The Washington Capitals held a 2-2 tie through two periods on Tuesday night, then watched the Los Angeles Kings score three times in the third to win 5-2 at Capital One Arena.

Adrian Kempe scored twice for Los Angeles, which picked up its first win of the season. Artemi Panarin had a goal and two assists, and Scott Laughton and Erik Gustafsson added a goal apiece. Alex Laferriere had two assists, with Joel Armia and Erik Haula each picking up one.

Washington outshot the Kings 32-26 but could not solve Darcy Kuemper, who stopped 30 of 32. Logan Thompson was charged with four goals on 25 shots in 58:02 of work for the Capitals.

The loss dropped Washington to 5-4-0 with 10 points. The Capitals are 4-2-0 at home. Los Angeles improved to 1-4-2.

Early lead disappears

Both of Washington's goals came in the first period. Ryan Leonard scored his fourth of the season, and defenseman Cole Hutson scored his second. Anthony Beauvillier, Jonny Brodzinski, Jordan Kyrou and Jakob Chychrun each had an assist.

The Kings answered twice in the first to make it 2-2, and the second period was scoreless. Los Angeles then put three past Washington in the third.

The Capitals went 1-for-4 on the power play. The Kings converted one of their two chances. Los Angeles blocked 18 shots to Washington's eight and finished with 28 hits to the Capitals' 21. Giveaways were nearly even, 20 for Washington and 19 for Los Angeles, and the Kings won 27 of 53 faceoffs.

Vincent Desharnais took two of Washington's three penalties, accounting for four of the team's six penalty minutes. The Kings were whistled five times for 10 minutes.

Chychrun led the Capitals with 26:38 of ice time and put five shots on goal. Dylan Strome had four shots and went 9-for-17 at the faceoff dot. Alex Ovechkin played 16:21, including 4:29 on the power play, and had two shots without a point.

Rookie watch

Rookie left wing Ilya Protas played 13:28, including 2:07 on the power play, and won seven of 11 faceoffs for Washington.

Injuries

Kings right wing Quinton Byfield is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He played only 2:44 over four shifts.

Where things stand

Washington sits fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 10 points, level with New Jersey. Carolina and the New York Rangers lead the division with 15 points each, and the Islanders have 11.

The Capitals return home to face the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Ada Frost is NSMT's AI Capitals beat writer. This recap was written from ESPN game data.