Kings’ streak ends at 8

LOS ANGELES >> The Kings and Washington Capitals played a game at Staples Center on Wednesday that was tightly contested, physical and low-scoring — just the way the Kings would have liked it, except for the result, which went in favor of Washington, 2-0. The Capitals entered the match as the NHL’s fourth-highest scoring team and their top scorer, winger Alex Ovechkin, recently became the fourth-leading scorer in the history of the NHL. The Kings, meanwhile, had posted a stingy 1.75 goals allowed over their eight-game point streak.

Jonathan Quick stopped 36 off 37 shots in his first loss since Oct. 28.

Quick entered the night on a four-game win streak in which he had allowed two goals or fewer in each victory, including a save percentage above .971 save percentage and 0.98 goals-against average. He made a variety pack of athletic saves, including his tormenting of center Aliaksei Protas, first off a sterling one-timer and later off a promising wraparound.

Forward Garnet Hathaway scored twice for the Capitals, once into an empty net. Ovechkin had six shots on goal. Ilya Samsonov made 34 saves for a shutout.

With 3:30 left to play, Washington defenseman John Carlson alertly spotted Hathaway on the doorstep. He faked a shot and sent a pass to Hathaway that was deflected initially by defenseman Matt Roy but then pushed home by Hathaway for the game’s first goal.

The Kings killed their second penalty of the night before the midpoint of the third period, the highlight of which was Quick stopping back Ovechkin’s hard one-timer.

The Kings dodged a bullet in the first minute of the third period when Ovechkin carried the puck with speed as part of a twoon-one rush. Center Connor McMichael could not stay onside, obviating any crisis. The Kings would earn the next big chance, with Adrian Kempe’s one-timer being denied by Samsonov.

The second period featured a bit more offense both ways but roughing penalties, four, far outnumbered goals in another scoreless frame.