Byfield scores in 5th straight, Kings shut out Capitals

LOS ANGELES -- Quinton Byfield scored for the fifth straight game, and Darcy Kuemper made 21 saves for his third shutout of the season in the Los Angeles Kings’ 3-0 win against the Washington Capitals at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.

Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist for the Kings (35-20-9), who have won four straight after losing their previous five (0-3-2).

“We beat the best team in the League, and I don’t think they had anything, you know,” Fiala said. “Obviously, they’re a good team, like I said, so Darcy had to make some nice saves. … The belief is here.”

Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves for the Capitals (43-15-8), who had their five-game winning streak end. Alex Ovechkin did not have a shot on goal in 18:37 of ice time, including 8:41 on the power play.

“Yeah, you’ve got to give them credit,” Washington center Lars Eller said. “They played very well and made it hard on us, and we weren’t able to find a way through them tonight. When they needed some saves, they got some big saves at some key times, and we didn’t execute as well today in the offensive zone maybe as we had in other games.”

Warren Foegele put Los Angeles ahead 1-0 at 13:08 of the first period, batting in his own rebound near the right post after the puck popped out during a scramble along the end boards.

It was Foegele’s 19th goal in 64 games, one shy of his NHL career high he set in 82 games for the Edmonton Oilers last season.

“He’s been pretty consistent right from the get-go,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said.

Fiala made it 2-0 at 1:05 of the third period with a one-timer from the right circle off a pass from Anze Kopitar on the power play.

Byfield scored 47 seconds later to push the lead to 3-0. Vladislav Gavrikov kept in Connor McMichael's clearing pass at the blue line, allowing Fiala to skate in on a 2-on-1 and pass to Byfield for a one-timer at the right hash marks.

“We waited for their mistakes, and we scored twice in a row, and it was quick. And then the game was over,” said Fiala, who has four points (one goal, three assists) in his past three games.

The Capitals could not respond despite having two of their five power plays in the third, including 20 seconds at 5-on-3. They finished with eight shots on goal on the man-advantage.

“Well, power play, right away entries were a mess,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “When we did get in, couldn’t execute. So, I don’t think [Ovechkin] touched the puck let alone had a shot attempt on the power play.”

Los Angeles limited Washington to fewer shots on goal in each period as the game went on, including just four in the third. Kuemper said it was crucial to maintain a commitment to defense against an opponent that leads the NHL in goals per game (3.61).

“We didn’t give them a whole lot all night," Kuemper said. "We knew how dangerous they were, and we just, you know, tried to play defense first and then take advantage of offense when it comes. And I thought we just had everyone committed to that kind of game plan, and it worked to a T."

NOTES: Byfield is the third Kings player to have a goal streak of at least five games before his 23rd birthday. Jimmy Carson and Luc Robitaille each did it twice. ... Kopitar has five points (two goals, three assists) during a four-game point streak. ... Kuemper is 11-0-1 in his past 12 home games, tying Kelly Hrudey (1990-91) for the longest streak in Kings history.