After the Washington Capitals handed one perennial NHL power its first loss of the young season, they’ll look to do it again.
The Capitals will try to keep the visiting Dallas Stars from starting 5-0-0 for the first time in 18 years on Thursday night.
On Tuesday, Vegas brought a 3-0-0 mark into Washington but left with a 4-2 loss. Superstar captain Alex Ovechkin recorded two assists to reach 700 for his career and Tom Wilson scored his second goal of the season as the Capitals rebounded from a 5-3 season-opening loss to New Jersey.
“That’s just a great team win and a lot of positives to build off,” said Logan Thompson, who made 24 saves against his former team in his Capitals debut. Thompson played in 103 games across four seasons for Vegas before getting traded to Washington in June.
Ovechkin seems eager to put the assist milestone behind him and help the Capitals to another positive performance.
“When you play 20 years in hockey, I’m pretty sure you’ll get the same number (of career assists),” said Ovechkin, who has 12 goals and 21 points in 26 career games versus Dallas.
“Yeah, it’s a pretty big number … so, yeah, move forward.”
However, the task doesn’t get any easier for Washington, which is mired in an 0-3-2 hole versus Dallas. The Capitals are also 0-2-3 against the Stars at home since a 4-3 victory in March 2018.
Dallas remained undefeated Tuesday but had to work for a 3-2 home shootout victory over San Jose. The Stars last won their first five games in 2006-07.
“Sometimes it takes 65-plus (minutes) to get it done,” said Dallas’ Matt Duchene, who has a point in three of the four games.
“We’re happy with the start, but we’re not looking back. We want to keep putting the points away.”
Even with the strong start, the Stars know they have strides to make. While Dallas has killed 13 of 14 penalties through four games, it’s 1-for-13 on the power play and hurt itself with turnovers Tuesday.
“Maybe not the best from us, but we got the win,” Dallas defenseman Esa Lindell told NHL.com. “Still some room to improve. As the game went on, we kind of took over. Some good, some not so good.”
Mason Marchment has been among the good for Dallas, recording two goals with three assists on the young season. He’s also totaled the same numbers in five career contests versus Washington.
Dallas’ Jake Oettinger made 25 saves versus San Jose to improve to 3-0-0 with a 1.63 goals-against average this season. He also owns a 1.73 GAA and .950 save percentage while winning all four career starts against the Capitals.
However, Stars backup Casey DeSmith could get the call Thursday after stopping all 25 shots he faced during the 2-0 victory over Seattle on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Thompson posted a 2.00 goals-against average in three career starts versus Dallas while playing for Vegas. Charlie Lindgren, though, could be back in Washington’s net after stopping 28 of 32 shots against New Jersey in the opener.
–Field Level Media