What we learned from the Kings’ 4-3 overtime victory over the Capitals

A few more takeaways from a wildly careening contest between the league’s No. 1 team and the Kings, who managed to get a measure of revenge after losing at Washington last month. The Kings scored three times in the first period and the Capitals stormed back with three goals in the third to force overtime.

Daily dose of Doughty

The great players can truly shine in overtime, another terrific byproduct of three-on-three hockey.

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, again, managed to come up something special in overtime, demonstrating his innate hockey sense.

He read the play just right, retreating into the neutral zone until he saw that the Capitals were going to get caught on a line change. Reversing field, he made the first pass that resulted in Jeff Carter’s winning goal.

Recovery skills in overtime

Washington has had the ability to crank it up in the third period all season and Wednesday night was no exception. The Capitals fired off eight shots on goal in the first two minutes and 16 seconds of the third period.

The Kings, in all, were outshot, 18-6, in the third period.

They managed to pull it together in overtime, a season-long theme. After struggling in overtime last season, the Kings have now won 10 games in overtime this season.

Importance of home ice

By beating Washington, the Kings moved past Anaheim to retake the top spot in the Pacific Division.

The Kings, of course, excelled on the road during the playoffs in their run to the Stanley Cup in 2012 and won three Game 7s, all on the road, to their 2014 Stanley Cup championship.

They are cognizant of trying to make it easier on themselves in 2016.

“We want to get home ice, right?” said Carter. We’ve seen the last few times we’ve been in the playoffs how big Game 7s are. When you have it in your home rink, it’s a big advantage.”

Twitter: @reallisa