Capitals vs. Stars Recap: Washington’s Comeback Falls Short in Overtime

Washington returned home to Capital One Arena for the first time in fourteen nights, coming off a deflating loss to the Canadiens last Thursday evening. After falling behind early the Capitals clawed their way back to force overtime, only to fall there.

Here’s Saturday night’s Plus/Minus:

Plus: Dmitrij Jaskin had one of his best performances with Washington, tallying an assist and skating 15:05 of visible TOI (season high).

Minus: Despite both teams registering 11 shots in the opening frame a pair of poor plays with the puck from Washington allowed Dallas an easy two goal lead through twenty minutes.

Ten more notes on the game.

1. One minute into the contest Stars defenseman Esa Lindell fired a shot that rang off the crossbar, missing by a mere inch. It would be a sign of things to come from Dallas’ offense early.
2. Midway through the first period a careless turnover from John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin in the offensive zone sprang Jason Spezza on a breakaway. All alone from center ice in the veteran pivot made no mistake, depositing his third goal of the season between Holtby’s pads.
3. And only ten seconds later the Stars would score again. Tyler Pitlick picked off the puck from Holtby behind the cage before firing it into the net behind Holtby, who was scrambling to get back into position.
4. 38 seconds into the second period Nicklas Backstrom got the Capitals on the scoreboard. Backstrom rifled a shot shortside that beat Ben Bishop by his right ear to draw Washington within one.
5. But halfway through the contest Jamie Benn stuffed the puck home to put Dallas ahead by two once again. A pair of passes from Valeri Nichushkin and Spezza gave Benn a wide open net to hit.
6. Before the second period came to its close Washington would strike again. Brett Connolly followed his own shot up and over Bishop in the crease before bunting it into the goal from five feet out for the Capitals’ second.
7. In the third period Evgeny Kuznetsov would knot the game for Washington. With the man advantage Kuznetsov stashed his sixth of the season (and sixth with the man advantage) with a high shortside shot to Bishop’s other ear.
8. After twelve minutes of scoreless play regulation time would expire, sending the teams to sudden death overtime.
9. 59 seconds into the extra session Tyler Seguin was granted a penalty shot after being interfered with on a breakaway. Coming in all alone Seguin was denied by Holtby who stood tall and denied the shot with his left arm.
10. In the end though it wouldn’t matter, as Jason Dickinson scored the game winner 3:17 into overtime with a wicked wrist shot that beat Holtby five hole.