Can the Dallas Stars go 5-0 to start the season? That will be the question on fans’ minds Thursday when the Stars travel to Washington, D.C., to take on Alex Ovechkin, on a quest to take down Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record, and the Capitals.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Stars’ Thursday matchup vs. the Washington Capitals.
Stars vs. Capitals
When: Thursday, 6 p.m. (October 17)
Where: Capital One Arena
TV/Streaming: Victory+
Radio: 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM)
Bottom line
After escaping the San Jose Sharks in a shootout, the Stars try to extend their season-opening win streak to five games.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Ovechkin is still hunting for his first goal of the season. The Capitals captain sits 41 goals back of Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record with his contract, and likely his NHL career, ending in after the 2025-26 season. All eyes are on him to see if he can break the record.
The teams played twice last season. The Stars won both 5-4, on the road then at home, but needed more than regulation to do so. A Jason Robertson shootout goal was the difference in the first game, and Thomas Harley got it done in overtime in the second.
Top performers
Stars: Mason Marchment leads the team in both points and goals, with five and two respectively. … Rookie Logan Stankoven leads with three assists. … Captain Jamie Benn has points in 16 of his 22 career games against the Capitals for a total of 19. … Goalie Jake Oettinger is 4-0-0 in his career against the Capitals with a .950 save percentage.
Capitals: Ovechkin leads Washington in assists with three. … Tom Wilson has two goals through two games.
Injuries
Stars: Matt Dumba (out, lower-body injury), Tyler Seguin (day-to-day, lower-body injury)
Capitals: Matt Roy (out, lower-body injury).
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