Stars at Capitals
THE
STORY: In their first matchup against a Western Conference power this
season, the Washington Capitals made a statement by demolishing the
Detroit Red Wings in what was a showdown between the league's last two
unbeaten teams. The Capitals will be hoping to duplicate that
performance against another elite team from the West when they host the
Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Much like the highly anticipated encounter with
Detroit, Tuesday's game will be held on Washington's home ice, where
the Capitals are a perfect 6-0-0 on the season. Surprising Dallas, which
is the only NHL team with 10 wins and has a Western Conference-leading
20 points, enters the matchup on a three-game winning streak and a
history of success against the Capitals, having won seven of the past
nine meetings. It is the second of a four-game road trip for the Stars
that will include stops in Pittsburgh and Detroit.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), CS Washington
ABOUT
THE STARS (10-3-0): Dallas has overcome the loss of star center Brad
Richards to free agency in its sizzling start. Loui Eriksson and Jamie
Benn have filled the offensive void with 15 points apiece. Eriksson has
eight points in a four-game streak, including six in the past two games.
Benn has two goals and five assists in a five-game point streak.
Goaltender Kari Lehtonen has been spectacular with a 10-1 record and
2.14 goals against average.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (9-3-0): Washington
blew a two-goal lead in Saturday’s 5-3 loss at the New York Islanders.
Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist, and has five goals and six
assists in his last eight. Nicklas Backstrom has four consecutive
two-point games and is tied for the league lead with 13 assists.
Goaltender Tomas Vokoun has won only one of his last four starts and is
6-18-1 lifetime against Dallas.
OVERTIME:
1. Washington has a league-best goal differential of plus-15 and has outscored opponents 26-14 at home.
2. Lehtonen has won all four road starts this season while allowing seven goals.