Washington, DC-The Washington Capitals don't usually storm out of the gates in early games, but today they did in a big way against the Los Angeles Kings thanks to Alex Ovechkin.

The Ovechkin of old made an appearance at 1:06 of the first period today as the Russian sniper snapped a shot from the top of the left circle past Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier to give Washington a 1-0 lead after one. The tally was vintage Ovechkin; a vicious wrist shot that Bernier had no chance at stopping.

Things settled down following the goal as Washington stymied a flat Kings offense, limiting them to four shots. However, on the other end the Caps couldn't convert on several other opportunities.

DJ King is in the lineup today as Boyd Gordon was scratched. To no one's surprise he dropped the gloves in a nice bout against Kevin Westgarth late in the period. The fight should help to raise the level of play in what has been a quiet contest thus far.