Capitals vs. Stars Recap: Washington Overcomes Two-Goal Deficit, Wins in OT

The Caps got on the board first, but the Stars then seized control of the game and tallied the next three goals.

Early in the third, though, they took two penalties, and the Caps converted on both to tie the game.

Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jay Beagle provided the overtime magic to complete the comeback victory.

• Plus: The Caps’ power play went 2-for-2, converting on both their third-period opportunities, tying the game.
• Minus: The Caps continued their undisciplined play—including a couple of delay-of-game penalties in the first (giving Dallas an 80-second-plus 5-on-3 advantage) and an ugly hit from behind by Brett Connolly on Jordie Benn.

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Ten more notes on the game:

• Andre Burakovsky opened the scoring early in the first. With the Stars scrambling, Dmitry Orlov found Brett Connolly in the slot for a shot. Brett Ritchie tried to corral the rebound, but instead gave it to Burakovsky, who curled the puck in and shot it past Kari Lehtonen. He’s now up to nine goals on the season.
• The Stars got stronger as the period went along. Dallas tied the game when Adam Cracknell deflected a Jordie Benn one-timer past Philipp Grubauer. Later, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin both had good chances, and Brooks Orpik managed to thwart a Seguin-Jason Spezza 2-on-1. Late in the period, Grubauer made his first of his two fantastic saves on Patrick Sharp.
• The physicality of the game picked up, including back-to-back fights—Tom Wilson and Brett Ritchie, and Daniel Winnik and Antoine Roussel. The next shift saw Curtis MacKenzie take runs at Justin Williams (both would end up in the penalty box soon thereafter for mutual slashing).
• The second period started quietly, but the Stars eventually pulled ahead when Patrick Eaves potted a loose rebound.
• Brett Connolly hit Jordie Benn from behind into the boards. He only got a two-minute minor for it, and the Stars converted in its waning seconds—Jamie Benn slammed in a loose puck after an Eaves deflection. The goal was first waved off—Benn made a little contact with Grubauer a few seconds prior—but called good on a coach’s challenge.
• The Capitals were undisciplined in this game—again. The Stars had six power play opportunities, including a length 5-on-3 in the first.
• The Capitals got their only two power plays of the game early in the third, and made them both count. Alex Ovechkin powered a one-timer past Lehtonen to cut the Caps’ deficit to 3-2, and T.J. Oshie deflected a Matt Niskanen shot in to tie the game. (Niskanen had three assists in this game.)
• Taylor Chorney took a penalty on old friend Cody Eakin, and the Stars came close to pulling back ahead several times on the ensuing power play. Roussel deflected a shot just wide of the net, Spezza had a shot from the circle blocked, and Grubauer made a superb save on Seguin.
• Marcus Johansson had a couple of rough moments in this game. He was his usual self carrying the puck and weaving through the neutral zone, but also inexplicably passed when all alone behind the Stars’ D, and shanked a one-timer late that could have won the game.
• Jay Beagle won the game on the first shift in overtime. The play was set up by Evgeny Kuznetsov in classic Kuznetsov fashion—seeming to slow down everyone on the ice, driving past everyone, and passing to an open teammate. All Beagle had to do was slam the puck into the net, and he’s now up to 10 goals on the season.

The Caps didn’t play a particularly strong game. They had their chances, but playing a 50/50-ish game against this opponent is a little disappointing. That said, the third period and overtime were reminders of how dangerous they can be given an opportunity. They’ve maintained their two-point lead over Columbus in the race for the division and conference crowns, and the President’s Trophy, and John Carlson is set to be back soon, too.

The Caps return home to host Carolina on Monday.

Game highlights: