NHL Preview: Dallas Stars (17-8-5) at Washington Capitals (15-12-4)

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DALLAS STARS NOTES:

LAST DALLAS STARS GAME
Dec. 13, 2022 – STARS 4 at DEVILS 1
Led by a 35-save effort from former Devils netminder Scott Wedgewood, the Stars rebounded with a gutsy 4-1 victory over New Jersey on Tuesday at Prudential Center. Wedgewood made 29 of 30 saves in the second and third periods to boost his record this season to 6-4-2. Dallas received goals from Ty Dellandrea (1-0—1), Roope Hintz (1-0—1), Esa Lindell (1-0—1) and Mason Marchment (1-0—1) and assists from Ryan Suter (0-1—1), Miro Heiskanen (0-1—1), Jason Robertson (0-1—1) and Tyler Seguin (0-1—1). With the win, the Stars improved to 17-8-5 (39 points), including an 8-5-2 mark on the road. They’re also 13-0-0 when leading after two periods. The Devils lost in regulation for just the sixth time all season (21-6-4, 44 points). PP: 0-1 | PK: 2-2 | SF: 31 | SA: 36 | DAL TOI: Suter (21:41) | Attendance: 13,114
Three Stars: 1. DAL – S. Wedgewood 2. NJD – A. Schmid 3. DAL – R. Hintz

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time (CT) Location TV/Radio
Thu., Dec. 15, 2022 Washington Capitals 6 p.m. Capital One Arena BSSW/KTCK
Sat., Dec. 17, 2022 Carolina Hurricanes 6 p.m. PNC Arena BSSWX/KTCK
Mon., Dec. 19, 2022 Columbus Blue Jackets 6 p.m. Nationwide Arena BSSWX/KTCK
Wed., Dec. 21, 2022 Edmonton Oilers 8:30 p.m. American Airlines Center TNT/KTCK
Fri., Dec. 23, 2022 Montreal Canadiens 7:30 p.m. American Airlines Center BSSWX/KTCK

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Nov. 19 – Recalled forward Matej Blumel from Texas (AHL)
Nov. 22 – Loaned forward Matej Blumel to Texas (AHL)
Nov. 22 – Recalled forward Fredrik Karlstrom from Texas (AHL)
Nov. 29 – Loaned forward Fredrik Karlstrom to Texas (AHL)
Dec. 12 – Recalled forward Riley Tufte from Texas (AHL)

INJURIES
Man-games lost, 2022-23: 14
NAME INJURY # OF GAMES DATES
D Miro Heiskanen Upper body 3 Oct. 25-29
G Jake Oettinger Lower body 4 Nov. 1-8
F Denis Gurianov Upper body 6 Nov. 11-21
F Roope Hintz Lower body 1 Nov. 19

DALLAS STARS NOTES
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Stars’ five-game road trip takes them to the nation’s capital for a matchup against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. (6 p.m. CT, TV: Bally Sports Southwest, Radio: The Ticket 96.7-FM/1310-AM). This concludes the two-game season series between the two clubs, which opened with a 2-0 Stars victory at American Airlines Center on Oct. 27. Following tonight’s game, Dallas’ road trip will continue Saturday, Dec. 17 at Carolina before wrapping up Monday, Dec. 19 at Columbus.

A THOUSAND NIGHTS OR MORE, WE TRAVEL EAST AND NORTH

  • The Stars earned a 2-0 victory in the series opener vs. Washington on Oct. 27 at American Airlines Center.
  • Forward’s Joel Kiviranta (1-0—1) and Jason Robertson (1-0—1) tallied goals for Dallas in the victory.
  • Kiviranta’s tally was his first career shorthanded goal and the second shorty by Dallas at that time (also Roope Hintz, Oct. 15 vs. NSH).
  • Goaltender Jake Oettinger (23 years, 313 days) made 27 saves for his third career shutout, trailing only Pete Lopresti (5) for the most by a goaltender before the age of 24 in franchise history (1967-present).
  • With the win, Oettinger improved to 5-1-0 and became the second goaltender in franchise history to reach five wins in six or fewer appearances in multiple seasons (also 2021-22), joining Kari Lehtonen (5 GP in 2011-12, 6 GP in 2015-16 & 2010-11).
  • Dallas has wins in five of the past seven games against the Capitals (5-2-0).
  • The Stars have also earned points in 18 of their past 21 games vs. Washington, owning a 15-3-3 record dating back to the 2008-09 season.
  • The Stars are riding a three-game winning streak on the road against the Caps and have gone 9-1-0 in their past 10 games at Capital One Arena.
  • Dallas owns an all-time record of 54-30-20 vs. Washington, including a 26-17-8 mark on the road.
  • Forward Joe Pavelski has notched six points (1-5—6) over his past seven games against the Capitals and has 14 points (4-10—14) in his previous 15 against them. The 38-year-old paces all current Stars in assists (14) and points (9-14—23) in 24 career games vs. Washington.
  • Forward Tyler Seguin enters Thursday’s game with five points (3-2—5) over his past six games against the Capitals. Since joining the Stars, Seguin has points (10-6—16) in 12 of 17 games against Washington, including eight points (5-3—8) in eight games against them at Capital One Arena.
  • Seguin leads active Stars in goals (12) and has 19 points (12-7—19) in a team-high 28 career games against Washington.
  • Captain Jamie Benn comes in with points (7-9—16) in 13 of his 19 career games against the Capitals. His +16 rating against Washington is tied for his best plus-minus against any opponent over the course of his 14-year NHL career (also Edmonton).
  • 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 has five points (3-2—5) in six career games vs. Washington, including two power-play goals.
  • Goaltender Jake Oettinger is 2-0-0 with a 0.86 goals-against average and .970 save percentage in three career appearances against Washington.
  • 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: Stars 2 vs. Capitals 0 (American Airlines Center)
Dec. 15 at Washington

BRIGHTEST STAR FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

  • Robertson was named the NHL’s First Star for the month of November after leading the league with 15 goals and 26 points in 14 games (15-11—26) to power the Stars to an 8-3-3 November.
  • Robertson, who became the first player in franchise history to top the league in both goals and points during a calendar month, found the scoresheet in each of his 14 November appearances.
  • Robertson’s November goal and point totals also ranked second for a single month in franchise history, behind Dino Ciccarelli’s 16 tallies in March 1986 (14 GP) and Tom McCarthy’s 27 points in November 1983 (12-15—27 in 13 GP).
  • Overall, Robertson recorded multiple points in nine of his 14 outings and a quartet of multi-goal performances, highlighted by three straight such games from Nov. 21-25 (6-1—7).

A LOOK BACK AT ROBO’S 18-GAME POINT STREAK

  • Jason Robertson had 21 goals and 34 points (21-13—34) over his 18-game point streak, which goes down as the longest point streak in Dallas Stars history (1993-present) and the second-longest point streak in franchise history (1967-present). Only Brian Bellows’ 20-game point streak from Jan. 11-Feb. 21, 1986 with the Minnesota North Stars is longer.
  • Only two active players recorded a longer point streak age 23 or younger: Paul Stastny (20 GP in 2006-07), Sidney Crosby (19 GP 2007-08 & 16 GP in 2008-09).
  • He had goals in 15 of those 18 games and had 12 multi-point efforts over that span, including three consecutive multi-goal performances (Nov. 21 vs. Colorado, Nov. 23 vs. Chicago and Nov. 25 vs. Winnipeg).

DATE G A P
Dec. 4 vs. MIN 1 1 2
Dec. 1 vs. ANA 3 0 3
Nov. 28 @ STL 1 0 1
Nov. 26 @ COL 0 1 1
Nov. 25 vs. WPG 2 1 3
Nov. 23 vs. CHI 2 0 2
Nov. 21 vs. COL 2 0 2
Nov. 19 vs. NYI 1 0 1
Nov. 17 @ FLA 0 1 1
Nov. 15 @ TBL 1 1 2
Nov. 13 @ PHI 1 1 2
Nov. 11 vs. SJS 0 2 2
Nov. 8 @ WPG 1 0 1
Nov. 5 @ EDM 1 2 3
Nov. 3 @ ARI 2 0 2
Nov. 1 vs. LA 1 2 3
Oct. 29 vs. NYR 1 1 2
Oct. 27 vs. WSH 1 0 1
TOTAL: 21 13 34

TURN THE IGNITION, FIRE UP THE SYSTEM, PLAY MY LITTLE PART IN SOMETHING BIG

  • Jason Robertson (23) shares second behind Connor McDavid (25) in goals and ranks fourth in points (23-20—43), trailing only McDavid (59 points), Leon Draisaitl (51 points) and Tage Thompson (44 points) in that category.
  • Robertson recorded his third career hat trick (3-0—3) in a 5-0 victory vs. Anaheim on Dec. 1 at American Airlines Center.
  • He joined Kirill Kaprizov, Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne, Eric Lindros, Pavel Bure, Joe Nieuwendyk and Mario Lemieux as players to score at least 80 goals in the first 152 career NHL games.
  • With 54 goals dating to Jan. 1, Robertson trails only Auston Matthews (55) for the most goals in the 2022 calendar year so far.
  • Robertson has recorded three hat tricks since his debut season in 2019-20, surpassing Jamie Benn (2) for the most by a Stars player of that span.
  • Robertson had goals in six consecutive games from Oct. 27-Nov. 8, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to have a goal streak of six games or more before turning 24, and the second player in Dallas Stars history (1993-present) to do so. Robertson followed Neal Broten from Jan. 23-Feb. 4, 1982 (7-12—19 in 7 GP), Jamie Benn from March 1-11, 2011 (6-1—7 in 6 GP), Mike Modano from Feb. 29-March 10, 1992 (7-2—9 in 6 GP) and Danny Grant from Oct. 16-29, 1969 (6-1—7 in 6 GP).
  • Robertson has been named the NHL’s First Star of the Week twice already this season for the weeks ending Nov. 27 and Nov. 6.
  • The Arcadia, California native is averaging better than a point-per-game pace through his four NHL seasons (81-87—168 in 158 GP).

CUT IT TO THE LEFT AND I ROCK

  • Forward Roope Hintz (1-0—1) tallied his 13th goal of the season on Dec. 13 at New Jersey to give him goals in consecutive games (2-0—2).
  • His tally against the Devils marked his 19th career game-winning goal, the most by a Stars player since he entered the NHL in 2018-19.
  • Hintz has 10 points (5-5—10) in his past seven games and 27 points (11-16—27) in his previous 22.
  • Hintz ranks third on the team in multi-point games (9) behind Jason Robertson (14) and Jamie Benn (10).
  • The 26-year-old has skated in 29 contests this season with Dallas and ranks second on the club in goals (13) and points (13-21—34).
  • Among team leaders, he ranks first in assists (21) and second in game-winning tallies (3).
  • Hintz (3-1—4) recorded his second career hat trick and tied his career high for points in a game on Dec. 4 vs. Minnesota.
  • Hintz’ three-goal effort gave the Stars two consecutive games with hat tricks (Jason Robertson, Dec. 1 vs. ANA).
  • He had a 10-game point streak from Oct. 27-Nov. 17, tallying 15 points (6-9—15) over that span including four multi-point efforts.
  • With two goals on his 26th birthday on Nov. 17 at Florida, Hintz became just the second player in franchise history (1967-present) to score multiple goals on his birthday (also Dave Gagner, Dec. 11, 1990).
  • Hintz is one of four players on the Stars to have a shorthanded goal this season (also Radek Faksa, Luke Glendening and Joel Kiviranta).
  • Hintz and Robertson became the third pair of Stars/North Stars teammates with simultaneous 10-game point streaks, joining Brian Bellows and Neal Broten (10 GP from Jan. 23-Feb. 13, 1986) as well as Steve Payne and Bobby Smith (10 GP from Feb. 10-28, 1980).
  • On Nov. 29 the Stars signed Hintz to an eight-year contract extension, which begins in the 2023-24 season and runs through the 2030-31 campaign. The eight-year contract extension is worth $67.6 million and has an average annual value (AAV) of $8.45 million.
  • In five NHL seasons, Hintz has earned 204 points (93-111—204) in 268 career NHL games. He’s tied for sixth in Dallas Stars history (1993-present) with six career shorthanded goals and ranks 12th with 19 career game-winning goals.

I’M ON MY FEET, I’M ON THE FLOOR, I’M GOOD TO GO

  • Defenseman Miro Heiskanen skated in his 300th career NHL game on Dec. 10 vs. Detroit.
  • Heiskanen shares 13th among Dallas Stars (1993-present) defensemen in games played with 302 (also Jordie Benn) and is 31 away from tying Nicklas Grossmann (333) for 12th.
  • Heiskanen enters tonight’s game with points in three of his past four games (2-2—4) and has seven points (2-5—7) over his past seven.
  • He potted the first two goals of the game in the first period on Dec. 8 vs. Ottawa to become the seventh defenseman in franchise history (1967-present) to record two goals in an opening frame.
  • Heiskanen’s two-goal night represented his third career multi-goal game. Among blueliners in franchise history, only Craig Hartsburg (6) and Brad Maxwell (3) had as many before age 24.
  • Heiskanen’s two goals were scored in a span of 1:48 – the fifth-fastest two tallies by a defenseman in franchise history. Sergei Zubov holds the franchise mark (0:57 on Nov. 25, 2001).
  • Heiskanen had a season-high three points (0-3—3) in the Stars’ win over Anaheim on Dec. 1, which, at the time, gave him 19 points (3-16—19) in 23 games.
  • The 23-year-old ranks fifth on the Stars and shares ninth among NHL defensemen in points (5-18—23). He also paces the Stars and ranks sixth in the league in TOI/GP (25:22).
  • Heiskanen has 38 goals, 116 assists and 154 points in 302 career NHL games while averaging 24:13 TOI over that span.

SAY HELLO TO GOOD TIMES, TRADE UP FOR THE FAST RIDE

  • On Dec. 10 vs. Detroit, rookie defenseman Nils Lundkvist (1-0—1) became the 10th rookie in franchise history (1967-present) to score an overtime goal and just the fourth rookie defenseman to do so, joining Julius Honka (April 4, 2017), Esa Lindell (Dec. 23, 2016) and John Klingberg (March 28, 2015).
  • Lundkvist became the third rookie to score an overtime goal this season, joining New Jersey’s Fabian Zetterlund (Nov. 5 at CGY) and Seattle’s Matty Beniers (Dec. 1 vs. WSH).
  • Lundkvist had a career-best three-game point streak (2-2—4) from Dec. 8-12 and has nine points (3-6—9) in 27 games with the Stars.
  • Selected by the Rangers in the first round (28th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Lundkvist was acquired by the Stars for a conditional first-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft and a conditional fourth-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft on Sept. 19.
  • He made his Stars debut and picked up his first point with the club (0-1—1) in the regular-season opener Nov. 13 at Nashville. – Lundkvist shares second among Dallas d-men in goals (3), ranks third in points (3-6—9), shares third in assists (6) and ranks second
    among club blueliners in shots on goal (47).

SALT, SWEAT, SUGAR ON THE ASPHALT

  • Captain Jamie Benn has 16 points (7-9—16) over his past 17 games and 27 points (11-16—27) overall (30 GP).
  • Scoring his 340th career NHL goal on Dec. 10 vs. Detroit, Benn is just two goals from tying Brian Bellows (342) for second place on the franchise’s all-time goals list.
  • With the most points in a single month in his career (10-13—23), Benn trailed only Jason Robertson (15-11—26) for the most points by any player in the NHL during the month of November. He also ranked fifth during that time in goals (10).
  • Benn registered his 10th multi-point game of the season with a two-assist night (0-2—2) against St. Louis on Nov. 28.
  • Benn recorded the 45th multi-goal game of his NHL career on Nov. 11 vs. San Jose and moved within two of tying Bill Goldsworthy (47) for fourth place on the Stars/North Stars franchise’s all-time list.
  • With a hat trick (3-0—3) against the Oilers on Nov. 5, Benn (333) surpassed Dino Ciccarelli (332) for sole possession of third place among franchise leaders (1967-present) in goals.
  • In addition, Benn (7) trails only Ciccarelli (14) and Bill Goldsworthy (8) for the most three-goal outings in Stars/North Stars franchise history (1967-present). Note: Mike Modano also had seven hat tricks with the Stars/North Stars franchise.
  • Among team leaders, the 33-year-old ranks third in goals (11) and fourth in points (11-16—27) and ranks sixth in assists (16). He also ranks second in power-play points (12) and shares second in power-play goals (5).

CHASE THIS LIGHT WITH ME

  • With the game-winning goal in sudden death on Dec. 8 vs. Ottawa, forward Tyler Seguin (1-0—1) scored his 10th career overtime goal to surpass Mike Modano for sole possession of second place in franchise history (1967-present) behind only Jamie Benn (11).
  • The OT tally marked Seguin’s 47th game-winning goal with Dallas. Only two players in franchise history have more: Modano (92) and Benn (52).
  • The Brampton, Ontario native enters Thursday’s contest against Washington with seven points (1-6—7) in his past 11 games and 22 points (5-17—22) in 30 games overall this season.
  • With his first of two assists (0-2—2) on Nov. 19 against the New York Islanders, Seguin recorded career point No. 700, becoming the first player from the 2010 NHL Draft to reach the 700-point mark.
  • Seguin leads the 2010 draft class in points (310-398—708), ranks second in goals (310) and ranks fifth with a +68 rating. He also leads the class with 56 game-winning goals and shares second with 10 overtime markers.

WHEN THE DANCE IS THROUGH, IT’S ME AND YOU

  • Forward Joe Pavelski co-leads the NHL in plus-minus (+20) and has finished with a plus or even rating in 27 of 30 games this season.
  • Only once in his 17-year NHL career has he finished a season with a minus rating (-4 in 2018-19 with San Jose; 75 GP).
  • Appearing in his 1,196th career NHL game on Dec. 10 vs. Detroit, forward Joe Pavelski passed Todd Marchant (1,195) for 17th all-time in games played by U.S.-born players.
  • Plucked in the seventh round (205th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft, Pavelski ranks seventh in games played (1,198) among players from that draft class.
  • Pavelski (0-3—3) assisted on three of Dallas’ four third-period goals on Dec. 4 vs. Minnesota to match the franchise record for most in a single period – a feat last achieved by Tyler Seguin on April 2, 2022 (0-3—3 in the first period).
  • Pavelski (38 years, 146 days) also became the third player in franchise history (1967-present) to register three points in a period at age 38 or older, joining Dean Prentice (40 years, 65 days) on Dec. 9, 1972 and Sergei Gonchar (39 years, 245 days) on Dec. 14, 2013.
  • He passed Chris Chelios (948) for 12th all-time in points among U.S.-born skaters with an assist against the Ducks on Dec. 1.
  • With his 157th career power-play goal scored on Nov. 26 at Colorado, Pavelski tied Mike Modano for the fourth most by a U.S.-born player. (Jeremy Roenick is third all-time with 184 PPG). It marked Pavelski’s 10th goal of the season and the 431st of his NHL career.
  • With 431 career NHL goals, Pavelski needs three more to tie Patrick Kane (434) for seventh all-time in goals among U.S.-born skaters. Kane is also the only active U.S.-born skater with more goals than Pavelski.
  • Pavelski has eight multi-point games on the season and 44 since joining the Stars in 2019-20.
  • Only two Stars have notched more multi-point games for the franchise than Pavelski over that span: Jason Robertson (50) and Roope Hintz (49).
  • Pavelski has points (6-16—22) in 14 of his past 22 games and has earned at least one point in 17 of 30 overall (10-19—29).
  • Through 30 games this season, the Plover, Wisconsin native ranks third in points (10-19—29), fourth in goals (10) and ranks third in assists (19). He also ranks third in even-strength points (5-15—20) and shares sixth in even-strength goals (5).

I, I ALWAYS BELIEVED IN FUTURES

  • Rookie forward Wyatt Johnston (0-2—2) registered his second career multi-point game with two assists, including the primary helper on Tyler Seguin’s overtime-winning marker on Dec. 8 against Ottawa.
  • Johnston has five points (2-3—5) in his past seven games and 12 points (7-5—12) in 30 games overall.
  • He potted his seventh goal of the season on Dec. 1 vs. Anaheim. The only rookies with more are Seattle’s Matty Beniers (11) and Ottawa’s Shane Pinto (10).
  • At 19 years, 173 days, he became the first teenager in Stars/North Stars history (1967-present) to record a three-game goal streak on the road with his goal on Nov. 3 at Arizona. The last teenager to have a longer road run was Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov (4 GP in 2019-20).
  • With a goal (1-0—1) on Oct. 25 against Boston, 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).
  • With a goal (1-0—1) in the season opener on Oct. 13, Johnston became the youngest player in Dallas Stars history 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.

WE’RE THE SAME, WE’RE THE SAME, YEAH, IT’S UNDERSTOOD

  • Defensemen Esa Lindell and Colin Miller are among the league’s leaders in plus-minus for defensemen with +15 and +14 ratings, respectively.
  • Lindell, who is +8 over his past 14 games and has finished with a plus or even rating in 24 of his 30 games this season, shares fifth among league blueliners with a +15 rating.
  • The Vantaa, Finland native tied his single game high with a +4 rating on Nov. 3 at Arizona.
  • Lindell co-leads the Stars in blocked shots (51), shares third in hits (48) and ranks second among Stars defensemen with 10 points (3-7—10) in 30 games.
  • The 28-year-old matched a career-high with three points (1-2—3) on Nov. 13 at Philadelphia.
  • Miller, who has finished with a plus or even rating in 24 of his 29 games this season, shares eighth among NHL d-men with a +14 rating and is +7 over his past 13 games.
  • Among team leaders, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native ranks fifth overall in hits (45) and ranks seventh in blocked shots (25).

WASHINGTON CAPITALS NOTES:

LAST GAME
Washington 7, Chicago Blackhawks 3
December 13, 2022 * United Center * Chicago, IL
Shots: WSH: 30; CHI: 29
Power Plays: WSH: 1/1; CHI: 1/3
Three Stars: 1. Ovechkin (WSH), 2. Sheary (WSH), 3. Mantha (WSH)

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Loaned defenseman Dylan McIlrath to AHL Hershey, 12/11
Recalled defensemen Lucas Johansen and Dylan McIlrath from AHL Hershey, 12/11

INJURIES/ILLNESSES
Nicklas Backstrom: 10/12-12/13 (31 games)
Carl Hagelin: 10/12-12/13 (31 games)
Tom Wilson: 10/12-12/13 (31 games)
Connor Brown: 10/20/22-12/13/22 (27 games)
Beck Malenstyn: 11/3/22-12/13/22 (20 games)
Martin Fehervary: 12/5/22-12/13/22 (5 games)
Darcy Kuemper: 12/5/22-12/13/22 (5 games)
Alex Alexeyev: 12/11/22-12/13/22 (2 games)
Lars Eller: 12/13/22 (1 game)
Dmitry Orlov: 11/7/22-12/9/22 (16 games)
T.J. Oshie: 10/31/22-11/19/22 (11 games)
John Carlson: 10/31/22-11/9/22 (6 games)
Erik Gustafsson: 12/11/22 (1 game)
Man Games Lost: 187

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Dec. 17, 7 p.m. ET vs. Toronto (NBCSW, NHLN, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Dec. 19, 7 p.m. ET vs. Detroit (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Dec. 22, 7 p.m. ET at Ottawa (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Dec. 23, 7 p.m. ET vs. Winnipeg (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Dec. 27, 7 p.m. ET at New York Rangers (NBCSW+, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)

TONIGHT’S GAME
The Capitals host the Dallas Stars on Thursday at Capital One Arena for the second of two meetings between the teams this season. Washington is 34-50-16-4 all-time vs. the Dallas/Minnesota North Stars franchise and 5-3-3 in their last 11 games against the Stars dating back to the 2016-17 season. In 2021-22, Washington split the season series with Dallas 1-1-0, outscoring the Stars 7-3 in two games.

HOME vs. DALLAS STARS
Record Goals For Goals Against Streak
17-23-8-3 147 170 3 DAL wins (11/3/18-3/20/22)

CAPITALS vs. STARS ALL-TIME (CAREER TOTALS)
Games Goals Assists Points
Oshie (33) Oshie (12) Backstrom (16) Oshie (26)
Ovechkin (23) Ovechkin (11) Oshie (14) Backstrom (22)
Backstrom/Irwin (20) Mantha (7) Carlson/Kuznetsov (7) Ovechkin (17)

POINT STREAKS
Evgeny Kuznetsov – 6 game point streak (1g, 6a)
Alex Ovechkin – 4 game point streak (7g, 2a), 4 game goal streak (7g)
John Carlson – 4 game point streak (0g, 5a), 4 game assist streak (5a)
Anthony Mantha – 4 game point streak (2g, 4a), 4 game assist streak (4a)
Lars Eller – 2 game point streak (2g, 0a), 2 game goal streak (2g)
Marcus Johansson – 2 game point streak (2g, 0a), 2 game goal streak (2g)
Dmitry Orlov – 2 game point streak (1g, 2a)
Conor Sheary – 2 game point streak (0g, 3a), two game assist streak (3a)
Trevor van Riemsdyk – 2 game point streak (2g, 0a), 2 game goal streak (2g)
Nic Dowd – 2 game point streak (1g, 1a)

TOP CAPS FACTS
The Great 8(00)

  • Alex Ovechkin scored his 18th, 19th and 20th goals of the season on Tuesday at Chicago to become the third player in NHL history to reach the 800-goal mark, joining Hall of Famers Gordie Howe (801) and Wayne Gretzky (894).
  • Ovechkin reached the 800-goal mark in his 1,305th career game, the second-fewest games required to reach the milestone in NHL history (Gretzky: 1,116 GP). Howe scored his 800th career goal in his 1,748th career game at the age of 51.
  • Ovechkin (currently at 161 GP) can require the fewest games between milestone goals No. 700 and No. 800 and become the first to make the jump in fewer than 200 contests (Wayne Gretzky: 231 GP from Jan. 3, 1991 to March 20, 1994; Gordie Howe: 256 GP from Dec. 4, 1968 to Feb. 29, 1980).*
  • Ovechkin went from 700 to 800 goals in 162 games, the fewest games required to make that leap for any member of the 800-goal club (Gretzky: 231 GP; Howe: 256 GP). It is tied for the third-fewest games Ovechkin has required to go from one 100-goal milestone to another in his career (100 to 200 goals: 130 GP; 600 to 700 goals: 155 GP; 300 to 400 goals: 162 GP).
  • Ovechkin’s 100 goals in 162 games since scoring his 700th career goal on Feb. 22, 2020, equates to a 0.62 goals-per-game average, slightly higher than his overall career average (0.61 G/GP). Gretzky’s goals-per-game rate from goal 700 to 800 was 0.44, while Howe’s was 0.39.
  • Ovechkin is now two goals shy of passing Howe (801) for second on the NHL’s all-time goals list.
  • Ovechkin scored his 787th career goal on Nov. 5 versus Arizona, passing Howe (786) for the most goals with one franchise in NHL history and scored his 122nd career game-winning goal on Oct. 24 at New Jersey to pass Howe for the second-most game-winning goals.
  • Ovechkin, who has scored 20 goals in 31 games this season, recorded his 29th career hat trick against Chicago to reach the 800-goal mark, passing Marcel Dionne and Bobby Hull (28) for the sixth most hat tricks in NHL history.
  • Ovechkin has reached the 20-goal mark in each of his 18 NHL seasons and his 18 20-goal seasons are the sixth-most in NHL history. Ovechkin is on pace to score 52 goals this season. Should Ovechkin reach the 50-goal mark, it would mark his 10th career 50-goal season, passing Gretzky and Mike Bossy (9) for the most in NHL history. In addition, Ovechkin would pass Gretzky (12) for the most 40-goal seasons in NHL history and tie Mike Gartner (17) for the most 30-goal seasons in NHL history.
    Additional information from NHL Stats: “The Road to 800” / #NHLStats Pack

Streaking

  • The Capitals have won five-straight games entering Thursday’s tilt with Dallas, which marks their longest win streak of the season.
  • The Capitals are 8-2-1 in their last 11 games and have earned 17 points (.773 point percentage) in that stretch. Washington’s eight wins and 17 points are tied for the second most in the NHL since Nov. 23, through games played Dec. 13.
  • The Capitals have played eight of their last 11 games on the road, going 5-2-1 and outscoring opponents 29-22.
  • Since Nov. 23, the Capitals rank fourth in the NHL in goals against per game (2.27), fourth in penalty kill percentage (86.2%) and seventh in power play percentage (31.3%).
  • Over their last 11 games, 21 of the 22 skaters that have played for Washington have recorded a point, led by Alex Ovechkin’s 17 points (11g, 6a).

Power Up

  • The Capitals have scored a power play goal in seven-straight games and in 10 of their last 11 games.
  • It marks Washington’s longest stretch of consecutive games with at least one power play goal since the 2009-10 season (seven-straight games: March 6 – March 18, 2010).
  • Since Nov. 23, the Capitals have converted on 10 of 32 power play opportunities (31.3%). During that span, Washington’s 31.3 power play percentage ranks seventh in the NHL.
  • Six different skaters have scored a power play goal since Nov. 23 (Alex Ovechkin: 2; Conor Sheary: 2; Marcus Johansson: 2; T.J. Oshie: 2; Evgeny Kuznetsov: 1; John Carlson: 1).
  • The Capitals have had 106 power play opportunities this season, which are the fifth most in the NHL.
  • Washington has drawn 133 penalties this season – tied for the fifth most in the NHL – and their +22 net penalty differential ranks first in the NHL.

First Star Charlie

  • Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren was named the NHL’s First Star for the week ending Dec. 11. Lindgren posted a record of 4-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage in four starts last week.
  • In addition, Lindgren recorded a 1.26 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage at five-on-five (per Natural Stat Trick).
  • During the four-game stretch, which began on Dec. 5 at Edmonton, Lindgren stopped a combined 50 of 52 shots (.962 save percentage) faced in the third period and 49 of 51 shots (.961 save percentage) faced when the Capitals led (per Natural Stat Trick). Lindgren allowed two or fewer goals in each of his four starts, including consecutive starts where he allowed just one goal (Dec. 7 at Philadelphia and Dec. 9 vs. Seattle).
  • Lindgren is the 10th different Capitals goaltender to earn First Star/Player of the Week honors and the first since Braden Holtby in 2011 (for the week ending March 14).
  • Over his last five starts, Lindgren is 5-0-0 with a 1.81 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.
  • Lindgren’s five-game win streak is tied for the longest of his NHL career. Last season with the St. Louis Blues, Lindgren won five-straight games, going 5-0-0 with a 1.22 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage from Dec. 5 – Dec. 17, 2021.
  • This season, Lindgren has a record of 7-3-2 with a 2.81 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage. The Capitals have earned at least one point in nine of the 11 games Lindgren has started (7-2-2). Among goaltenders with 11 or fewer starts this season, Lindgren ranks tied for third in the NHL in wins.
  • Lindgren has a record of 2-1-0 with a 1.34 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage in three career games versus Dallas.

Penalty Skill

  • The Capitals have killed off 63 of 75 power plays (84.0 percent) over their last 26 games, dating back to Oct. 22. During that span, Washington’s 84.0 penalty kill percentage ranks third in the NHL.
  • Through games played Dec. 13, the Capitals’ 80.9 penalty kill percentage ranks ninth in the NHL.
  • Washington is averaging 4:54 of shorthanded time on ice per game, which is the eighth-lowest rate in the NHL.

Oh Yeah, Orly

  • Dmitry Orlov has recorded three points (1g, 2a) since returning to the Capitals’ lineup on Dec. 11 at Winnipeg.
  • Orlov, who missed 16 consecutives games due to injury prior to his return, has averaged 21:21 of ice time in Washington’s last two games, the second-highest average on the team (John Carlson: 23:33).
  • In addition, Orlov has recorded a +6 plus/minus rating in his last two games.
  • With his goal Tuesday at Chicago, Orlov tied Al Iafrate (58) for the ninth-most goals by a defenseman in franchise history.

Give Me Mo

  • Anthony Mantha recorded two points (1g, 1a) on Tuesday at Chicago, marking his fifth multi-point game this season.
  • Mantha is currently riding a four-game point streak (2g, 4a) and has recorded an assist in each of his last four games.
  • Mantha, who recorded the primary assist on Alex Ovechkin’s 800th career goal, has assisted on six of Ovechkin’s goals since joining the Capitals during the 2020-21 season.
  • Mantha has recorded 18 points (8g, 10a) in 31 games this season. His eight goals rank tied for third on Washington while his 18 points rank tied for fifth.

Osh Babe

  • In the 11 games since returning to the Capitals’ lineup on Nov. 23 against Philadelphia, Oshie has recorded six points (3g, 3a).
  • Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Capitals are 73-31-13 (.679 point percentage) with Oshie in the lineup and 38-12-6 (.732 point percentage) when he records a point.
  • In games without Oshie since 2020-21, the Capitals have a record of 22-22-8 (.500 point percentage).

Kuz Control

  • Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded an assist on Tuesday at Chicago, extending his point streak to six games (1g, 6a).
  • With the assist, Kuznetsov passed Calle Johansson (361) for the seventh-most assists in franchise history. Kuznetsov passed Bengt Gustafsson (359) for the eighth-most assists in franchise history on Dec. 7 at Philadelphia.
  • Kuznetsov leads the Capitals with 19 assists in 30 games this season.
  • Kuznetsov is on pace for 51 assists this season. Should he maintain his scoring pace, it would mark Kuznetsov’s fifth career 50-assist season.
  • Among Washington’s top-10 assists leaders all-time, Kuznetsov’s 0.58 assists per game rate ranks second, trailing only Nicklas Backstrom (0.71 A/GP).
  • Since entering the NHL during the 2013-14 season, Kuznetsov has recorded 1.52 assists per 60 minutes at five-on-five. That’s the sixth-highest rate in the NHL among players with at least 200 five-on-five assists during that span (Connor McDavid: 1.78; Artemi Panarin: 1.68; Ryan Getzlaf: 1.54; Johnny Gaudreau: 1.53; Nikita Kucherov: 1.53).

Clutch Carly

  • John Carlson recorded an assist on Tuesday at Chicago, extending his assist streak to four games.
  • It marked Carlson’s 472nd career assist and he passed Zdeno Chara for the 41st-most assists by a defenseman in NHL history.
  • Carlson’s 19 points (8g, 11a) in 25 games this season lead Capitals defensemen.
  • Carlson has recorded 11 (6g, 5a) of his 19 points in the third period of games.
  • Seven of Carlson’s eight goals have come when the Capitals have trailed, with two being game-tying goals in games the Capitals won (Oct. 17 vs. VAN; Oct. 22 vs. LAK).
  • Carlson’s eight goals this season rank fourth among NHL defensemen.
  • Carlson has recorded 12 points (6g, 6a) in his last 14 games.

Did You Know?

  • The Capitals are 15-1-1 when scoring three or more goals this season.
  • Washington’s 784 hits this season are the seventh most in the NHL, through games played Dec. 13.
  • The Capitals rank seventh in the NHL in blocked shots (476), through games played Dec. 13.
  • Since Nov. 1, the Capitals have won 52.1 percent of their faceoffs, which is tied for the ninth-highest win percentage in the NHL during that span.