WASHINGTON CAPITALS NOTES:
LAST GAME
Washington 6, New Jersey Devils 3
October 24, 2022 * Prudential Center * Newark, NJ
Shots: WSH: 22; NJD: 41
Power Plays: WSH: 1/3; NJD: 0/4
Three Stars: 1. Hathaway (WSH), 2. Jensen (WSH), 3. Marino (NJD)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Recalled forward Beck Malenstyn from AHL Hershey, 10/19
INJURIES/ILLNESSES
Nicklas Backstrom: 10/12-10/24 (7 games)
Carl Hagelin: 10/12-10/24 (7 games)
Tom Wilson: 10/12-10/24 (7 games)
Connor Brown: 10/20/22-10/24/22 (3 games)
Man Games Lost: 24
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Oct. 29, 8 p.m. ET at Nashville (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Oct. 31, 7 p.m. ET at Carolina (NBCSW+, NHLN, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 1, 7 p.m. ET vs. Vegas (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 3, 7 p.m. ET at Detroit (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 5, 7 p.m. ET vs. Arizona (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
TONIGHT’S GAME
The Capitals visit the Dallas Stars on Thursday at American Airlines Center for the first of two meetings between the teams this season. Washington is 34-49-16-4 all-time vs. the Dallas/Minnesota North Stars franchise and 5-2-3 in their last 10 games against the Stars dating back to the 2016-17 season. In addition, the Capitals have won two-straight games at Dallas and have a record of 4-0-1 in their last five games at American Airlines Center. In 2021-22, Washington split the season series with Dallas 1-1-0, outscoring the Stars 7-3 in two games.
AWAY vs. DALLAS STARS
Record Goals For Goals Against Streak
17-26-8-1 144 183 2 WSH wins (10/12/19-
1/28/22)
CAPITALS vs. STARS ALL-TIME (CAREER TOTALS)
Games Goals Assists Points
Oshie (32) Oshie (12) Backstrom (16) Oshie (26)
Ovechkin (22) Ovechkin (11) Oshie (14) Backstrom (22)
Backstrom/Irwin (20) Mantha (7) Carlson/Kuznetsov (7) Ovechkin (17)
IN THE ZONE
John Carlson – 4 game point streak (2g, 4a), 4 game assist streak (4a)
Lars Eller – 2 game point streak (1g, 2a)
Nick Jensen – 2 game point streak (1g, 2a), 2 game assist streak (2a)
Nic Dowd – 2 game point streak (2g), 2 game goal streak (2g)
TOP CAPS FACTS
- Alex Ovechkin scored his third goal of the season on Monday against New Jersey. The goal stood as the game winner, marking Ovechkin’s 122nd career game-winning goal and moving him past Gordie Howe for the second-most game-winning goals in NHL history. Ovechkin only trails Jaromir Jagr (135) for the most game-winning goals in NHL history.
- Ovechkin now sits 19 goals shy of passing Howe (801) for second place on the NHL’s all-time goals list and four goals shy of passing Howe’s mark for the most goals scored by a player with a single franchise (Howe: 786 goals with Detroit).
- Ovechkin, who has recorded six points (3g, 3a) in seven games this season, is five points shy of passing Adam Oates (1,420) for the
19th-most points in NHL history.
Carly Climbing
- John Carlson collected his 599th career point on Monday at New Jersey, recording the primary assist on Ovechkin’s eventual game-winning goal.
- Carlson is now one point shy of passing Michal Pivonka for the fifth-most points in Capitals franchise history and becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to reach the 600-point mark.
- Carlson is also six games shy of 900 career games, where he would become the sixth player to play 900 or more games with Washington, joining current teammates Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, and alumni Calle Johansson, Peter Bondra and Kelly Miller.
- Carlson, who has recorded points in four-straight games (2g, 4a), leads the Capitals in time on ice per game (24:15) and blocked shots (18) through seven games.
Scoring In Bunches
- The Capitals scored four goals in the second period on Monday against New Jersey, marking the third time this season Washington has scored four goals in a single period (3rd period vs. Vancouver on Oct. 17, 3rd period vs. Los Angeles on Oct. 22).
- The Capitals are the only team in the NHL to have multiple four-goal periods this season.
- Through seven games, Washington’s 25 goals for overall and 18 goals for at five-on-five rank tied for sixth in the NHL, as of games played Oct. 25.
Special Teams
- Over their last five games, the Capitals have converted on six out of 15 power play opportunities (40.0 percent).
- Dylan Strome has recorded a team-high four power play points (1g, 3a), while Alex Ovechkin (2g, 1a), John Carlson (3a) and Marcus Johansson (3a) have each recorded three.
- The Capitals rank tied for ninth in the NHL in power play percentage (25.0 percent), through games played Oct. 25.
- The Capitals have killed off five straight opposing power plays over their last two games, including all four New Jersey power plays on
Monday. - Conor Sheary scored shorthanded on New Jersey’s third power play attempt, marking Washington’s first shorthanded goal of the season and the first of his career.
- The Capitals have drawn 30 penalties this season and have taken 24 penalties, tied for the fourth fewest in the NHL. Washington’s +6
net penalty differential ranks tied for second in the NHL. - Through seven games, Washington has been shorthanded for a combined 32:14, which is the eighth-lowest total in the NHL.
Road Warriors
- The Capitals have a road record of 45-19-8 since the 2020-21 season, good for the most wins, points (98) and point percentage (.681) in that span.
- Washington’s 3.51 goals per game on the road rank second in the NHL since 2020-21, while their 2.89 goals against rank eighth.
- Alex Ovechkin’s goal on Monday at New Jersey marked the 397th he’s scored on the road, which trails only Wayne Gretzky (402) for the most in League history.
Kuemper’s Crease
- Darcy Kuemper’s 66 wins since 2019-20 are the most among goaltenders with 125 or fewer starts in that span. Kuemper has a career record of 146-97-36.
- Among active goaltenders currently on an NHL roster with at least 300 games played, Kuemper ranks second in save percentage (.917) and goals-against average (2.49).
- Since 2017-18, Kuemper ranks first in the NHL in save percentage (.921) and second in goals-against average (2.45) (min. 150 GP).
Did You Know?
- The Capitals are averaging 33 hits per game and their 231 hits lead the NHL, through games played Oct. 25.
- Eighteen of the 21 skaters the Capitals have dressed this season have recorded at least one point.
- Charlie Lindgren (38 saves) recorded his first win as a Capital on Monday at New Jersey. His 74 combined saves through two games this season is the second most through a goaltender’s first two career contests with the Capitals behind Gary Inness in 1978-79 (76).
- Nic Dowd scored his third goal of the season on Monday at New Jersey, in his seventh game played. Last season, it took Dowd 16
games to score three goals. All three of Dowd’s goals this season have been Washington’s opening goal in those games.
REAL TIME LEADERS
Goals: Conor Sheary – 4
Assists: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dylan Strome – 5
Points: John Carlson, Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome – 6
Shots: Alex Ovechkin – 27
Hits: Martin Fehervary, Alex Ovechkin – 29
Blocked Shots: John Carlson – 18
TOI Per Game: John Carlson – 24:15
DALLAS STARS NOTES:
LAST DALLAS STARS GAME
OCT. 25, 2022 – STARS 1 @ BRUINS 3
The Stars fell short in the finale of their four-game road trip, losing 3-1 to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Tuesday. It marked the club’s second consecutive defeat in regulation (0-2-0) after starting the season with points in five consecutive games (4-0-1). Rookie Wyatt Johnston (1-0—1) scored the lone goal for the Stars, his second goal in as many games. Forwards Ty Dellandrea (0-1—1) and Jamie Benn (0-1—1) picked up their third assists of the season on Johnston’s goal. Goaltender Jake Oettinger suffered his first loss of any kind this season, stopping 26 of 28 shots in the setback. The contest marked forward Joel Kiviranta’s 100th career NHL game, all with Dallas.
PP: 0-3 | PK: 3-4 | SF: 31 | SA: 29 | TOI: Suter (25:52 – game high) | Attendance: 17,850
Three Stars: 1. BOS – L. Ullmark 2. BOS – D. Pastrnak 3. BOS – T. Hall
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time (CT) Location TV/Radio
Thu., Oct. 27, 2022 Washington Capitals 7:30 p.m. American Airlines Center BSSWX/KTCK
Sat., Oct. 29, 2022 New York Rangers 1 p.m. American Airlines Center BSSW/KTCK
Tue., Nov. 1, 2022 Los Angeles Kings 7:30 p.m. American Airlines Center BSSW/KTCK
Thu., Nov. 3, 2022 @ Arizona Coyotes 9 p.m. Mullett Arena BSSW/KTCK
Sat., Nov. 5, 2022 @ Edmonton Oilers 3 p.m. Rogers Place BSSW/KTCK
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Oct. 26 – Recalled forward Matej Blumel from Texas; loaned forward Jacob Peterson to Texas
INJURIES
Man-games lost, 2022-23: 1
NAME INJURY # OF GAMES DATES
D Miro Heiskanen Upper body 1 10/25-Pres
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Stars and Washington Capitals square off for the first of two meetings this season and the lone contest held at American Airlines Center (7:30 p.m. CT, TV: Bally Sports Southwest Extra, Radio: The Ticket 96.7-FM/1310-AM). Dallas holds a 53-30-20 all-time mark vs. Washington, including a 27-13-12 record at home. The Stars split the two-game set last season, losing 5-0 at home on Jan. 28 and winning 3-2 at Capital One Arena on March 20. This is the opener of a three-game homestand for Dallas, which includes contests Saturday against the New York Rangers (1 p.m. CT) and Tuesday, Nov. 1 against the Los Angeles Kings (7:30 p.m. CT).
THE DISTRICT SLEEPS ALONE TONIGHT
- The Stars enter Thursday’s matchup having logged wins in four of the past six games against the Capitals (4-2-0).
- Dallas has earned points in 17 of its past 20 games against Washington, owning a 14-3-3 record dating back to the 2008-09 season.
- The Stars have also recorded points in 17 of the previous 19 home games against the Caps as the team boasts a 13-2-4 record on home ice going back to the 1996-97 campaign.
- Forward Joe Pavelski has notched six points (1-5—6) over his past six games against the Capitals and has 14 points (4-10—14) in his previous 14 against them. The 38-year-old paces all current Stars in assists (14) and points (9-14—23) in 23 career games vs. Washington.
- Forward Tyler Seguin enters Thursday’s game with five points (3-2—5) over his past five games against the Capitals. Since joining the Stars, Seguin has points (10-6—16) in 12 of 16 games against Washington, including eight points (5-3—8) in eight games against them at American Airlines Center.
- Seguin leads active Stars in goals (12) and has 19 points (12-7—19) in 27 career games against Washington.
- Captain Jamie Benn comes in with points (7-9—16) in 13 of his 18 career games against the Capitals. His +16 rating against Washington is his best plus-minus against any opponent over the course of his 14-year NHL career.
- Benn recorded points in 13 consecutive games against them from Nov. 8, 2011-Oct. 8, 2019, the longest streak against any individual opponent in his career.
- Forward Roope Hintz (2-0—2) lit the lamp twice in Dallas’ 3-2 victory over the Capitals in the most recent meeting between the two clubs on March 20. Hintz has four points (3-1—4) in five career games vs. Washington, including two power-play goals.
- Goaltender Jake Oettinger is 1-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .950 save percentage in two career appearances against Washington. Oettinger stopped 36-of-38 shots in his first career start vs. the Capitals, a 3-2 Stars victory at Capital One Arena on March 20.
- Netminder Scott Wedgewood is 1-2-3 with a 3.07 GAA and .889 SV% in six career appearances (all starts) vs. Washington.
2022-23 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Oct. 27 vs. Washington
Dec. 15 at Washington
BRAND NEW EYES
- With a goal (1-0—1) Tuesday against Boston, rookie Wyatt Johnston became the third youngest player in Dallas Stars history (1993-present) to score in consecutive games. Johnston followed Valeri Nichushkin (2 GP in 2013-14) and Miro Heiskanen (2x in 2018-10, both 2 GP).
- Among NHL rookies, Johnston shares second in goals (3) and is tied for sixth in points (3-1—4). The Toronto native also shares third in power-play points (2) and ranks seventh among rookie forwards in TOI/GP (14:24). Below is a list of every teenager with a goal in three consecutive team games within a season for the Stars/North Stars franchise, sorted by age at end of streak (youngest to oldest). Johnston is included for reference
- With a goal in the season opener on Oct. 13, forward Johnston became the youngest player in Dallas Stars history (1993-present) to score a goal in his NHL debut (19 years, 151 days) and second youngest in franchise history (1967-present) with at least one goal in his NHL debut, behind Dave Archibald (18 years, 179 days on Oct. 10, 1987). Mike Modano (19 years, 120 days on Oct. 5, 1989) scored in his first regular-season NHL game but had debuted during the Stanley Cup Playoffs
GREETINGS FROM LESS THAN JAKE
- In his first four starts of the 2022-23 season, goaltender Jake Oettinger posted a 4-0-0 record with a 1.25 goals-against average and .959 save percentage.
- Oettinger was one of five goalies in franchise history (1967-present) to have a winning streak of at least four games to start the season, joining Kari Lehtonen (2x: 4-0-0; 2010-11 & 7-0-0; 2011-12), Marty Turco (5-0-0; 2006-07), Andy Moog (4-0-0; 1996-97) and Jon Casey (4-0-0; 1991-92).
- Oettinger was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week for the week ending Oct. 16 after posting a 2-0-0 record with a 1.00 GAA and .968 SV% as the Stars opened the season with consecutive victories against the Nashville Predators. Oettinger stopped 60 of 62 shots for the week, beginning with 31 saves in a 4-1 victory Oct. 13 at Nashville. Two nights later he turned aside 29 shots in a 5-1 win at American Airlines Center in the Stars’ home opener.
- Oettinger posted a 30-15-1 record, 2.53 GAA, .914 SV% and one shutout in 48 games with Dallas in the 2021-22 regular season, followed by a 1.81 GAA and .954 SV% in the Stars’ First Round loss to Calgary in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, highlighted by a 64-save performance in Game 7.
SOMETIMES I CAN’T HELP BUT SAY JOE’S MAKING HISTORY
- With a three-goal, four-point performance (3-1—4) on Oct. 22 at Montreal, forward Joe Pavelski (38 years, 103 days) became the oldest player in Stars/North Stars franchise history (1967-present) to score a hat trick. He eclipsed Brett Hull (36 years, 224 days) as the oldest player to accomplish the feat.
