Game Preview - LAK vs. WSH

The LA Kings are on the East Coast to begin a five-game trip this evening in the nation's capital. Here's what you need to know ahead of tonight's game against the Washington Capitals -

When: Tuesday, October 20 @ 4:00 PM PST
Where: Capital One Arena - Washington, DC

Watch: ABTV + DAZN
Listen: 830 AM KLAA, ESPN LA App, LA Kings App

5️⃣ Things To Know For Tonight's Game

1. The LA Kings are on the road to begin a five-game trip, with the first four coming against Eastern Conference opposition. After tonight's game in Washington, the Kings will face the three New York teams - Islanders, Devils and Rangers - before concluding the trip in Chicago next week. 
2. Defenseman Brandt Clarke enters tonight's matchup with five points from his first six games played this season, leading all Kings skaters. Clarke, who posted career highs in goals (8), assists (32) and points (40) last season, is currently one of just two blueliners around the NHL to lead his team in scoring, alongside Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson. 
3. The Kings got a goal from forward Alex Laferriere on Saturday against Boston, which came 31 seconds into his first game skating on the top forward line. Laferriere led all Kings skaters last time out with eight shot attempts and six scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick. The 24-year-old winger is tied for second on the team with four points (2-2-4) this season. 
4. Los Angeles killed off both penalties against in Saturday's defeat to Boston, coming against what was the NHL's fifth-ranked power-play unit coming into the game. The Kings currently rank 31st in the NHL in combined special teams (PP% + PK%), an area of improvement for this trip. 
5. In terms of lineup news, the Kings are expecting reinforcements on this trip, as forward Mats Zuccarello appears set to return to the lineup. Zuccarello has practiced with the team over the last several days and traveled with the group to Washington on Sunday. He would need to be activated from injured reserve in order to play, which has not happened yet, but he appears to be tracking to play tonight.

Tonight's Projected 👑 Lineup ⬇️

Players to Watch

Kings - Artemi Panarin: Panarin is a career point-per-game player against the Capitals, with 38 points (14-24-38) in 38 career games played versus Washington. Six of Panarin's 14 goals have come on the power play, tied for his highest total against any one NHL opponent. 

Capitals - Alex Ovechkin: The leading goalscorer in NHL history announced that this will be his final season playing in the NHL. Ovechkin, the only player in NHL history with over 900 regular-season goals, led all Washington players with three points (1-2-3) against the Kings last season. 

For a full game preview of today's action, as well as coverage of the 2026-27 regular season, visit LAKingsInsider.com.