Beagle scores in OT as Caps complete rally vs. Stars
DALLAS -- Jay Beagle's goal early in overtime lifted the Washington Capitals to a 4-3 victory over the Dallas Stars at AmericanAirlines Center on Saturday.
The Capitals won the opening faceoff in overtime and Beagle drove hard to the net to finish off a pass from Evgeny Kuznetsov just 19 seconds into 3-on-3 play.
Washington extended its point streak to 13 games and won in Dallas for the first time since the 2008 season.
The Capitals had scored a pair of power-play goals in the third to tie the game after Dallas led 3-1 entering the period.
Andre Burakovsky gave Washington a 1-0 lead 2:17 into the game when he scored after a failed clearing attempt by Stars right wing Brett Ritchie. Kari Lehtonen made the first save and the puck sat outside the crease before Ritchie cleared it right to Burakovsky's stick and the Capitals forward easily scored his fourth goal in his past five games.
The Stars tied the game 4:09 later on a deflection by Adam Cracknell. Jordie Benn took the initial shot and the puck bounced out of the net immediately, but a quick review confirmed the goal.
Tempers flared after the goal.
In a span of three seconds, Ritchie fought Tom Wilson and Antoine Roussel dropped the gloves with Daniel Winnik. Less than a minute later, Curtis McKenzie and Justin Williams traded slashes and appeared ready to fight before the referees disrupted the fracas.
Dallas took a 2-1 lead at 6:47 of the second period when Patrick Eaves scored his 17th goal of the season on a rebound. Patrik Nemeth and McKenzie had assists on the goal.
The Stars pushed their lead to 3-1 at 12:59 of the second period when Jamie Benn scored on a power play. Initially the goal was waived off for goalie interference, but the Stars challenged the play and Benn was awarded his 12th goal of the season.
Alex Ovechkin scored on the power play at 3:18 of the third period on slap shot from the top the right circle. Matt Niskanen and Niklas Backstrom had the assists.
Washington tied the game at 3-3 at 5:26 of the third period when T.J. Oshie tipped Niskanen's point shot past Lehtonen.
NOTES: Capitals D John Carlson missed his third straight game with a lower-body injury sustained Jan. 15 against the Flyers. Carlson took part in the morning skate on Saturday, but still needs more time, according to Capitals coach Barry Trotz. ... The Stars placed Johnny Oduya on injured reserve with a lower-body injury on Friday and recalled Julius Honka from the AHL. ... Honka, Jiri Hudler and Lauri Korpikoski were healthy scratches for Dallas as Brett Ritchie and Curtis McKenzie returned to the lineup. ... The Capitals were trying to win their first game in Dallas since 2008. Washington last won a regulation game on Oct. 17, 1995, in Dallas. ... Capitals D Matt Niskanen played his 700th NHL game. Niskanen was first-round pick by the Stars in 2005.