Capitals Vs Kings 11/20/2008 Review

Jarret Stoll (Kings) and Tom Poti (Capitals) fight for puck control.
November 20, 2008 Photo by Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

Capitals 2 - Kings 5

A rested and very young Los Angeles Kings hockey team beat a tired, battered and bruised Washington Capitals team Thursday night. Netminder Brent Johnson and defenseman Shaone Morrisonn returned from injury, but that wasn't enough fresh help to come out on top.

After leading in almost all categories the night before in Anaheim, the tables were turned on the Caps last night. Washington was outworked and outplayed as they skated around on their obviously tired legs. They seemed to be in a bit of a haze in the first period especially.

There were times later on when a livelier style of play returned, and it looked like our boys might pull off one of their stunning comebacks. It was not to be, however. Just not enough gas in the tank. There was some good hockey played, and the last two goals were empty netters. But, empty net goals count, and a loss is a loss.

Brent Johnson sparkled again, while Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin continued their point streaks. All is not lost. The team will have a chance to rebound with having today off. The Caps get back to work on Saturday, when they face the Sharks in San Jose, CA.

Capitals 2008-2009 Regular Season Schedule

For the Washington Capitals, the 2008-2009 regular season starts in Atlanta on Friday October 10th. They will raise the 2007-2008 Southeast Division Championship banner before their home opener the following night, when they play against Cristobal Huet's new team, the Chicago Blackhawks. This season's 82 game schedule has every team facing each other at least once.

Each team will play their division rivals six times and the other teams in their conference four times each. Washington will have two games each against Columbus, Los Angeles and Nashville. They face the rest of the Western Conference teams at least once.

Most of the games versus Western Conference teams will occur in the first half of the season, which means the Capitals will see a lot of their Eastern Conference foes in the second half. Washington will play 22 of their 41 home games during weekends. Click here for the full schedule.