Washington (11-4-3) at Los Angeles (7-8-2) 10:30 p.m. EST
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- A long road trip has not hindered the
Washington Capitals' success.
The Capitals go for their seventh win in eight games on Thursday
when they visit the Los Angeles Kings.
Alex Ovechkin extended his goal-scoring streak to five games and
added three assists, leading Washington to a 6-4 victory over
the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.
David Steckel and defenseman Mike Green each recorded a goal and
an assist for the Capitals, who improved to 1-0-1 on the first
of their two five-game road trips this season and 6-0-2 over
their last eight contests.
Ovechkin has yet to find the back of the net in two previous
games against the Kings, but did have three assists over that
span. The reigning Hart Trophy winner will attempt to break
through against Los Angeles, which may turn to backup goaltender
Jason LaBarbera on Wednesday after two straight regulation
losses by Erik Ersberg.
LaBarbera, who started nine straight games to open the season,
has not played since enduring a 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames
on November 1.
After suffering a 1-0 overtime setback to the Anaheim Ducks in
his first start of the campaign on November 4, Ersberg led the
Kings to four straight wins, solidifying his role as the No. 1
netminder. However, he has surrendered four goals in the last
two games and may be in need of a rest.