Capitals Drop Season Opener to Kings

Patrick Marleau scored a goal and assisted on another, but it wasn't enough for the Washington Capitals on Day 2. The Los Angeles Kings netted three times in the opening period and never looked back en route to a 4-3 victory. Washington is back in action on Day 5 in its home opener against Atlanta.

The Kings came out quickly in the first 20 minutes, and Gaborik gave the home club a great start when he scored on the power play from Lydman and Wiemer at 4:53. Bryan Berard was in the box for elbowing at the time. Kunitz made it 2-0 just 1:23 later, converting on a beautiful setup from Ozolinsh and Mezei. The Capitals got on the board through Jonathan Cheechoo from Zigmund Palffy and Patrick Marleau at 11:40, but Los Angeles pushed the lead back to two goals on Carter's tally from Nedorost and Mezei at 13:47.

Washington took advantage of an early power play in the second period to pull within one goal, but once again the Kings answered. Marleau got the goal for the Caps at 2:36, before Gaborik scored his second of the game from Mogilny and Yashin to make it 4-2.

The Capitals fought back in the final period on Warriner's first of the season from David Vyborny and Dan Boyle at 5:50, but that was all the scoring the club could muster.

Manny Legace made 21 saves in the loss. Martin Biron stopped 26 shots to earn the win.