Caps Host Undefeated Stars in Washington

The Dallas Stars, boasting a perfect 4-0-0 record, are set to face the Washington Capitals on Thursday, October 17, at Capital One Arena. The Capitals, who hold a 1-1-0 record, are looking to extend their winning streak after securing a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. This matchup marks the last of Washington’s three-game homestand.

Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals’ captain, remains a focal point as he continues his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky‘s NHL goals record. Ovechkin is currently 41 goals short of this historic milestone. Despite the 39-year-old’s hunt for his first goal of the current season, he contributed two assists in the recent win, reaching the 700-assist mark in his career. Ovechkin stands as the second player in Capitals’ history to achieve this, alongside Nicklas Backstrom.

Logan Thompson, who made his debut as a Capitals’ goaltender against his former team, the Golden Knights, displayed an impressive performance by stopping 24 of 26 shots. The Capitals secured the win with notable contributions across the lineup, including Jakub Vrana who marked his return with a goal, while Tom Wilson, Alaiksei Protas, and Jakob Chychrun added to the scoreboard.

The Stars, who have permitted only five goals across four games, are hinged on strong performances from goaltenders Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith, both recording shutouts in recent matches. Their latest victory came against the San Jose Sharks with a 3-2 decision in a shootout.

Historically, the Stars have been challenging opponents for Washington. The Capitals have a modest record of 34-51-16-6 against the North Stars/Stars franchise. Washington’s encounters with Dallas at home have been particularly bleak, securing only three victories in the last 19 matches on home ice.

The Capitals’ coach, Spencer Carbery, emphasized the significance of different team members stepping up when needed. “A good thing about our team is that on any given night, anybody can pop up and help in a lot of different ways,” said Carbery. This sentiment reflects the team’s recent performance against Vegas, where collaboration and flexibility played pivotal roles.

The impending clash with the Stars presents an opportunity for the Capitals to gain momentum and refine their gameplay. Both teams look to build upon their early-season successes, setting the stage for an exciting game.