Panarin helps Kings beat Capitals for their first win of NHL season

The Los Angeles Kings won 5–2 at the Washington Capitals for their first victory of the 2026/27 NHL season. Artemi Panarin scored a goal and added two assists.

Adrian Kempe scored twice for the Kings, with Erik Gustafsson and Scott Laughton also finding the net. Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson scored for Washington.

The game was tied 2–2 after the opening period. Neither team scored in the second, before Los Angeles struck three unanswered goals in the third. Panarin was named the game’s second star.

Alex Ovechkin logged 16 minutes and 21 seconds of ice time, with two shots on goal and two hits. He finished without a point and went a fourth consecutive game without scoring. Ivan Miroshnichenko also recorded no points.

The defeat ended Washington’s two-game winning streak.