Kings hope to keep win streak going as Capitals come to town

Washington represented one of the high points of the season for the Kings, quickly followed by one of the lowest moments.

The high point did not happen on the ice. That was the White House visit on Feb. 2, when the Stanley Cup champion Kings and MLS champion Galaxy were honored by President Obama.

A day later, the Kings turned in a desultory performance as the Capitals and goaltender Braden Holtby (27 saves) shut them out, 4-0. The Capitals arrive in Los Angeles for Saturday’s second game of a four-game trip, hoping to continue their success against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Kings have been shut out five times in 54 games this season by a combined score of 14-0. Last season, they were shut out six times. Five of the shutouts occurred in the first 55 games of the season and just one after Jan. 28.

More comparisons: They were 30-18-6 after 54 games last season and are 24-18-12 after 54 games this season, six points off the pace.

The Kings have won three straight games, beating Tampa Bay and Columbus on the road and Calgary at home Thursday. The last time the Kings had put together a three-game winning streak was from Nov. 15-20.

Defenseman Derek Forbort — who was recalled earlier in the week from the Kings’ minor league affiliate in Manchester, N.H., as insurance — was a healthy scratch in one game this week.

Michael Futa, the Kings’ vice president of hockey operations and director of player personnel, addressed the development Forbort has made since he was drafted in 2010 in the first round (15th overall); in particular, his recent progress.

“He’s done an incredible job, our development team has done a really good job — the difference in him and his whole attitude and his approach to being a pro has been awesome,” Futa said Friday.

“He’s matured. Instead of putting pressure on himself, a first-round pick, ‘When should I be playing?’ He is not rushing a timeline and doing all the extra things that are there for him with our development guys.

“He’s really simplified his game, always been an excellent skater. We’re trying to get him to simplify his game with the puck. He already defends well. You have to make quicker decisions at the next level.”

TONIGHT

VS. WASHINGTON

When: 7.

On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 790.

Etc.: The three assists against the Flames by Jeff Carter, the Kings leading scorer, pushed him to 501 career points in the NHL. The Kings are 12-0-0 when he has a multi-point performance. He has five points in the last two games.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com

Twitter: @reallisa