Ask Capitals forward D.J. King about a fight he was in five years ago and there’s a good chance he can recall every little detail. That’s part of the survival guide for any NHL enforcer. Remember what worked and use it again. Remember what didn’t and avoid that move at all costs.
King, 26, was acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Blues in July to give Washington the fighting presence it missed in 2009-10. It didn’t take him long to mix it up in his first game of the season Wednesday night against the New York Islanders.
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At the end of his first shift — 2:47 into the game — King and Islanders forward Trevor Gillies dropped their gloves. They circled each other for 12 seconds, each knowing the other’s strengths and each looking for an opening.
In the end, King snuck in a few solid punches, briefly lost his balance and then caught two stiff lefts from Gillies. King was disappointed only because he entered the fight ready for that. His first pro fight came against Gillies in 2004 when both were in the American Hockey League. But he doesn’t rely just on his own memory.
“With the Internet, you can pretty much see anything these days,” King said. “That’s a good way to prepare for these guys.”
