The Washington Capitals (43-15-8) and the Los Angeles Kings (35-20-9) met for the second time this season on March 13, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It was Pierre-Luc Dubois and Matt Roy's first time back in the city since being traded from the Kings to the Capitals last summer. Darcy Kuemper manned the net while Charlie Lindgren led his team out. Trevor Moore played in his 400th game of his NHL career. 

The Return of Dubois and Roy

Puck drop was underway as the leading Eastern conference Capitals looked to score in the opening frame, as they focused on scoring chances for their captain Alex Ovechkin, just 9 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's record. An aggressive start sparked a tense rivalry as both sides refused to back down. The Capitals laid multiple hits on the Kings, sending a clear message that they intended to control the pace of the game. Despite Washington's attempts to throw their weight around, the Kings had other plans. At 06:52, Warren Foegele delivered a crucial wrist shot past Lindgren, putting the Kings on the board first. 

Kings Lead 1-0

With the Kings up 1-0, the Capitals were determined to win the battles along the boards and answer back quickly. By mid-period of the second frame, Washington and Los Angeles were tied 13-13 in shots on goal (SOG). Dubois and Roy had yet to make an impact and their struggle to produce scoring chances was noticeable. A hooking call against Dubois sent him to the penalty box, presenting the Kings with their first power play opportunity, as the cheers from the crowd grew louder. Washington's failure to tie was met with frustration, while Kings fans erupted in applause, celebrating their team's lead against the top-ranked team in the NHL. Kuemper then tripped Dubois, drawing a penalty, resulting in a 5-on-4 power play for the Capitals. With the score still at 1-0, Adrian Kempe took a shot at Lindgren, who responded with an impressive sprawling leg save. The Kings carried their lead into the intermission. 

Kings Lead 3-0 as Washington Panics

With the third period in progress, the Kings were on a roll. At 18:55, Kevin Fiala boosted the Kings lead with a slap shot, his twenty-fifth of the season. Quinton Byfield continued his impressive five-game scoring streak, netting a goal moments later to put the Kings up 3-0. On the edge of their seats, the Capitals were frantic to stage a comeback. A heated scuffle broke out between the rivals, with Dubois holding Mikey Anderson firmly to the ice. The final seconds ticked away, confirming the Kings' dominant 3-0 victory as the Capitals were shutout by ex-goaltender, Darcy Kuemper.