The Capitals will be looking to extend their franchise-record consecutive home game winning streak to 16 games on Monday night when they host the Dallas Stars. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
DALLAS
The Dallas Stars (26-29-10) are currently six points out of a wildcard spot in the Western Conference. The Stars, 5-5-0 in their last 10 games, beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 in their last game on Saturday. John Klingberg scored the game-winner with 1:07 left in the game to give the Stars the road win. The Stars will wrap-up their two-game road trip in Washington Monday night.
The Stars’ injury report, courtesy of TSN:
Jamie Benn currently leads the Stars in goals with 24. Tyler Seguin leads Dallas in assists (43) and points (65). Kari Lehtonen has assumed the starting netminder role for Dallas as of late, and currently has a 2.89 GAA.
Special Teams:
The Dallas power play is in the bottom half of the league, ranked 17th, with a conversion rate of 18.3%. The Stars penalty kill is currently the worst in the league with a 73.5% success rate.
Shots Fired:
Dallas is 11th in the league in shot attempts per game with an average of 30.7 shots per game. Dallas is currently 17th in the league in shot attempts allowed per game, averaging 30.4 shots per game.
METROPOLITAN DIVISION STANDINGS
WASHINGTON
The Capitals have continued their winning ways on home ice, winning their 15th consecutive game at Verizon Center on Saturday night against the Flyers. Nicklas Backstrom tallied the overtime game winner for the 2-1 victory.
Braden Holtby continues his excellent play in 2017. Holtby leads the NHL in GAA and shutouts, ranks tied for 1st in wins and tied for 2nd in save % – all Vezina-caliber numbers.
The Capitals offense has been struggling since returning from the bye week break. The Capitals are 24th in the league in ‘Goals For’ since returning from the break (8 games). The Caps shot attempt percentage as a team has also dropped, at just 7.2% since the break.
Special Teams:
The Capitals power play was 1 for 4 on Saturday night versus the Flyers. Washington’s power play is now ranked 5th in the league with a 22.1% success rate.
The Capitals penalty kill came up big against the Flyers on Saturday night, going a perfect 6 for 6 in the game, and 14 for 14 in the last three games. The Caps penalty kill is currently ranked 5th in the league at 84.9%.
The Capitals specials special teams index (PP+PK) is 107.0, the best index of the season to date. The league mean average STI is currently 100.6.
Shots Fired:
The Capitals are currently ranked 21st in the league in shot attempts per game, averaging 29.6 shots per game. Washington continue to limit opponents shot attempts and is currently giving up the 5th fewest attempts at 27.9 shot attempts per game.
THE MATCHUP
The Capitals beat the Stars 4-3 (OT) at American Airlines Center in Dallas on January 21st. The win snapped a long dry spell in Texas for the Capitals. The Capitals haven’t defeated the Stars in Washington since November 30th, 2006 (4-3 win). Dallas has won the last 5 games in DC.
Series Flashback:
GAME LINKS
Game Notes vs. Dallas, 3/6/17 (Capitals PR)
Caps-Flyers Postgame Notebook: Fifteen The Hard Way (Mike Vogel)
Caps Seeing Stars on Monday (Mike Vogel)
By Jon Sorensen
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