Kings Face Capitals as Early Season Struggles Continue

The Los Angeles Kings will try to reverse their winless start against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Washington, as coach Peter Laviolette looks to improve an offense that has struggled through the team's first six games. Los Angeles enters the matchup with a 0-4-2 record, while the return of forward Mats Zuccarello from injured reserve could provide a boost.

According to MayorsManor, the Kings have scored the fewest total goals in the NHL, although their six games played are fewer than those of every other team in the league. More than half of the NHL's teams have played at least nine games, with some reaching 11.

The team's early results also present a historical challenge. Over the past 20 years, only one team that failed to win any of its first six games subsequently qualified for the playoffs: the 2008-09 Philadelphia Flyers, who started 0-3-3 and finished with 99 points.

Zuccarello's activation comes after he missed three consecutive games. The 39-year-old forward sustained an upper-body injury at the beginning of training camp, raising questions about his availability and condition early in the season. Alex Turcotte is also sidelined, while Kevin Fiala continues his recovery, leaving Los Angeles without several forwards expected to contribute offensively.

The Kings must also navigate a potential lineup adjustment following Zuccarello's return. Laviolette could return to a conventional arrangement of 12 forwards and six defensemen after using an 11-forward, seven-defenseman configuration.

Erik Gustafsson has featured regularly on the blue line under Laviolette. According to MayorsManor, Joel Edmundson, Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci are potential candidates to sit if the coach reduces the defensive group to six players. Ceci appeared to be the seventh defenseman during practice late the previous week, although the final decision remained subject to pregame warmups.

Los Angeles faces additional pressure because teams more than four points outside a playoff position on November 1 have approximately a 15% chance of reaching the postseason, according to the article.

Laviolette's record in Washington provides another historical detail ahead of the game. Since coaching the Washington Capitals, he has gone 0-4-0 against the team while leading the New York Rangers, whose combined score in those games was 19-9 against Washington.

Despite the difficult start, Laviolette brings extensive NHL experience. He coached his 1,600th career regular-season game on Saturday, becoming the eighth coach in league history to reach that milestone. His 846 regular-season victories rank seventh in NHL history, according to MayorsManor.

Washington enters the contest after a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Former Kings defenseman Matt Roy was expected to return to the Capitals' lineup, while Pierre-Luc Dubois was also among the players absent from Washington's previous game. Coach Spencer Carbery discussed the timelines for Roy, Dubois and Justin Sourdif, as well as the team's offseason additions, in a media briefing on Monday.

Individual statistics offer further context for the matchup. Artemi Panarin has recorded 38 points, including 14 goals and 24 assists, in 38 regular-season games against Washington. Among active players with at least 30 appearances against the Capitals, he is one of 13 averaging at least one point per game. His six power-play goals against Washington are tied for his highest total against any single opponent.

Adrian Kempe is also approaching a milestone for Los Angeles. After recording his third assist of the season on Saturday, he moved within one point of tying Jim Fox for 11th place on the Kings' all-time scoring list. Kempe has 478 regular-season NHL points, comprising 231 goals and 247 assists, and has scored two game-winning goals in 17 career meetings with Washington.

The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, October 20, with local television coverage available on ABTV and streaming through DAZN. A Kings radio broadcast is also available through the ESPN LA app.