The Capitals have an impressive record on the road this season, but the Dallas Stars defended their fortress well by winning 3-1 on Monday night.
Roope Hintz scored twice and the Stars ended the Caps’ 10-game road winning streak, an organization record, as well as their 9-game point streak.
Lian Bichsel collected his second goal of the campaign in the victory, Jason Robertson had two assists and Quebec forward Mavrik Bourque also contributed one. Jake Oettinger stopped 25 shots.
Dallas is 13-3-0 at home and has won 8 of its last 11 meetings against the Capitals.
Washington is still having excellent moments in the absence of Alexander Ovechkin, who missed a 12th consecutive game. Ovi made the trip and took part in non-contact exercises recently.
Dylan Strome took matters into his own hands while awaiting his return and scored his team’s only goal for his 38th point of the season. Only three other Caps players have accumulated as many after 30 games in the last 15 years, namely Ovechkin (47 in 2021-2022), John Carlson (42 in 2019-2020) and Nicklas Backstrom (38 in 2018-2019).
Strome redirected Jakob Chychrun’s shot past Jake Oettinger to open the scoring in the first period. Taylor Raddysh also had an assist down the stretch to match his point total (4-10) from last season in 43 fewer games.
Despite several turnovers leading to threatening plays, it was still only 1-0 late in the second period when Roope Hintz tied the game.
The Caps have had the fourth-best power play in the league over the last nine games, but were completely handcuffed on four occasions tonight by the Stars, who didn’t miss their chance on their first opportunity. Wyatt Johnston recovered his shot which was blocked by the leg of Martin Fehervary, who lost sight of the puck, and taking advantage of the confusion, he handed it to Jamie Benn then to Hintz who was unguarded in the slot.
Four minutes later, Lian Bichsel’s shot deflected off the glove of opposing defender Rasmus Sandin to end up in the back of the net and give the Stars their first lead 2-1. It was his second goal of the season, all in the space of three games.
Hintz added the insurance goal with 5:02 remaining in the game.
Nils Lundkvist and Thomas Harley were questionable tonight due to flu-like symptoms, but only Lundkvist was in uniform for Dallas. Casey DeSmith was also recovered enough to support Oettinger as a reserve.
Charlie Lindgren made 21 saves in the loss. The Caps were trying to match the best start to the season in their history with a 20th victory in their 30th meeting.
