Kings Blast Caps

Capitals roster

Robitaille scored at 1:36 on the Kings' first shot. Rob Blake made it 2-0 at 3:20 on Los Angeles' third shot and Robitaille completed the flurry at 10:54.

"The quick start was important," Kings coach Andy Murray said. "You've got some pretty good shooters there. If you've got the basketball, you might want Michael Jordan shooting it. We don't mind if Luc Robitaille and Rob Blake have the shots."

Before the game the Capitals raised the banner commemorating last season's Southeast Division title. Washington was without their star goalie Olaf Kolzig, who will be sidelined at least another week while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He was replaced by Craig Billington.

"We knew this was their night, this was their big opening. So we wanted to come out hard," Robitaille said.

"I've seen this happen lots of times, where they raise a banner and you come out a little tentative and nervous, and before you know it you're behind the 8-ball," Capitals coach Ron Wilson said. "Sometimes you just end up expending all your energy before the game even starts. That's what it looked like to me."

Calle Johansson scored for Washington in the second period before rookie Eric Belanger scored his first NHL goal to make it 4-1.

"Unbelievable feeling. I don't think I've had a feeling like that in my whole life," Belanger said. "I hope it's the start of a whole lot of feelings like that. To get the first goal in the first game is great."