Protas scores 2 goals, Capitals edge Kings

WASHINGTON -- Aliaksei Protas scored two goals for the Washington Capitals in a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Capital One Arena on Sunday.

Jakub Vrana scored in his second straight game, and Logan Thompson made 25 saves for the Capitals (23-8-2). Pierre-Luc Dubois, acquired from the Kings in a trade for goaltender Darcy Kuemper on June 19, had two assists against his former team.

“That was a fun game. It was a playoff-style game,” Thompson said. “I’ve played against L.A. for a couple of years now, so I kind of know their style and they really don’t give up a lot. We knew it was going to be a tight game back and forth, and credit to the guys, we stuck with it. It’s a huge two points.”

Kevin Fiala scored for the Kings (19-10-5), who lost 3-2 in overtime at the Nashville Predators on Saturday. David Rittich made 18 saves for Los Angeles, which enters the NHL holiday break after finishing 3-2-2 on their season-long seven-game, 15-day road trip.

“I thought that was a pretty good effort,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said. “Had some chances, for sure, just didn’t execute up top a couple times. We probably should’ve pounded a couple. We had good traffic.”

Protas gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead 10:20 of the first period. After Connor McMichael blocked Alex Turcotte’s clearing attempt along the boards, the puck went to Dubois, who fed Protas for the goal from the low slot.

After scoring 13 goals in 169 games over his first three NHL seasons, Protas has 14 goals in 33 games this season, including three in his past two games.

“Maybe good work in the offseason,” Protas said of his increased output. “And I think the trust from the coaches, working on a lot on the game. Been lucky enough to get some, but overall, just being around the net more and getting chances, creating chances for teammates.”

Fiala tied the score 1-1 with a power-play goal at 4:10 of the second period, taking a return pass from Adrian Kempe and scoring on a one-timer from the top of the right face-off circle.

“I thought we came out good,” Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “I thought guys had good energy. Obviously, a long trip. Coming into a back-to-back to finish it, so not ideal, but I thought it was a good effort. Both teams played to what they needed to do.”

Vrana put the Capitals ahead 2-1 at 14:18 when he received a pass from Dubois and scored on a high wrist shot from the top of the slot.

“Feels good. Feels a little extra special,” Dubois said of getting two assists against his former team. “Another big game tomorrow (at the Boston Bruins) before the break, so as good as it feels it’s on to the next one.”

Protas scored into an empty net at 19:06 for the 3-1 final.

“It’s a pretty good trip,” Hiller said. “We would have liked points out of this one tonight, but the trip itself was good. We played some pretty good hockey.”

NOTES: Washington has allowed two or fewer goals against in seven of its past nine games. … Dubois has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in his past 10 games. … Defenseman Matt Roy, who played the past six seasons with the Kings before signing with the Capitals on July 1, played 20:42 and was plus-1 against his former team. … The Kings had not allowed a power-play goal, or scored one, on the road trip. … Fiala scored his team-leading fifth power-play goal of the season.