WASHINGTON — In the NHL, it is uncommon for a major trade to yield positive outcomes for both participating teams, and even rarer is the scenario where prominent trades made consecutively in two summers elevate each involved franchise.
This was evident on Saturday night as the Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, and Winnipeg Jets exchanged players, leading to notable improvements for each squad.
The Jets celebrated a goal scored by Alex Iafallo, one of the players acquired in the trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Los Angeles back in June 2023. In turn, Dubois netted a goal for Washington, continuing his successful adjustment since the Kings transferred him to the Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper played a vital role by stopping 26 shots, contributing to the Kings’ victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, thereby prolonging his impressive season.
Iafallo expressed his excitement following his team’s 5-4 overtime victory in Washington, stating, “It’s great to see that. That’s the name of the game. Obviously everything changes so fast or whatever it may be. You find your success and be happy for everybody who has it.”
The contributions of Iafallo, along with Gabriel Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari—acquired from the Kings through the Dubois trade—have been instrumental for the Jets as they sit atop the league standings and assert themselves as credible contenders for the Stanley Cup.
Meanwhile, Dubois, who had an underwhelming stint with LA, has emerged as a key factor for the Capitals, currently leading the Eastern Conference and planning for a deep playoff journey. With 42 points over 52 games, his output surpasses his performance from the entirety of the previous season.
However, Dubois isn’t resting on his laurels, stating, “I think there’s another step. I think the beginning of the year I felt good. I just wasn’t getting any bounces. I think there’s still another step I can take. Obviously when you’re seen on the stat sheet it feels good but at the end of the day even if you score and the team loses, it still stings.”
The Kings experienced no such disappointment on Saturday, thanks in part to Kuemper, who led them to a 4-2 victory against the Hurricanes, ending a four-game losing skid. Since his return from injury in early December, Kuemper’s record stands at 11-4-3.
“Darcy’s been outstanding for us,” stated center Phillip Danault. “He gives us a chance to win every single night. Some key saves at the right time. Yeah, I could speak about how good Darcy is the whole night. He’s definitely outstanding for us.”
For the Jets, everything is trending positively; they have won six consecutive games, and the players are enjoying their success.
“It’s been a blast,” Iafallo commented. “Obviously different roles a lot of the time but just embrace it and have fun. But I’ve been loving it, especially this year winning so much and having fun with the guys.”
