Washington @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 11, 2019 ) Los Angeles 4, Washington 6

Alex Ovechkin appears to have regained his scoring touch, recording a goal in three of his last four contests following a four-game drought. The 33-year-old captain hopes to continue his surge when the Washington Capitals continue their six-game road trip Monday against the Los Angeles Kings.

Ovechkin scored his league-leading 40th goal of the season in Sunday's 5-2 loss at Anaheim, which dropped the Capitals to 1-2-0 on their trek and kept them five points behind the New York Islanders for first place in the Metropolitan Division. The seven-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner became the fourth player in NHL history to reach the 40-goal plateau at least 10 times, joining Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky (12), Mario Lemieux (10) and Marcel Dionne (10). Los Angeles is hoping to salvage the finale of its three-game homestand as its overall slide reached four games (0-2-2) with Saturday's 4-2 setback against Boston. Ilya Kovalchuk and Alex Iafallo scored in defeat for the Kings, who look to escape the Western Conference basement with a victory.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS West (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (32-20-7): John Carlson notched his 43rd assist of the season Sunday, moving him one ahead of Nicklas Backstrom for the team lead. The 29-year-old defenseman, who also scored a goal versus the Ducks, is one assist shy of 300 for his career. Jakub Vrana has picked up his production of late, registering three goals and seven assists over his last 11 contests after setting up a tally Sunday.

ABOUT THE KINGS (23-29-6): Adrian Kempe enters Monday's contest on a hot streak as he has landed on the scoresheet in six of his last seven games. The 22-year-old Swede, who has collected four goals and as many assists in that span, has notched 21 points in 57 games this season after registering 37 over 81 contests in 2017-18. Iafallo's goal Saturday was his 25th point of the season, which matches the amount he recorded in 75 games as a rookie last campaign.

OVERTIME

1. Kings G Jonathan Quick (illness) did not start versus Boston but hopes to be in the crease Monday.

2. Ovechkin, who has collected seven tallies and eight assists over his last 10 contests, is nine goals away from tying Brendan Shanahan (656) for 13th place on the all-time list.

3. Los Angeles rookie D Sean Walker (upper body) missed Saturday's game and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Kings 2