Caps' 3-goal 2nd ends Stars' perfect start to season

Field Level Media|published: Thu 17th October, 22:07 2024

Oct 17, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Andrew Mangiapane (88) shoots the puck as Dallas Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) defends in the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome and Taylor Raddysh each had a goal in a three-goal second period for the host Washington Capitals in Thursday's night 3-2 victory over the previously unbeaten Dallas Stars.

After knocking off then 3-0-0 Vegas on Tuesday for their first win, the Capitals trailed 1-0 entering the second period before breaking out. Wilson led the second-period surge with his third goal in three games. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren, solid down the stretch as Dallas pressured, made 22 saves for Washington, which has won two of its first three.

Colin Blackwell and Jason Robertson scored for Dallas, which outscored its opponents 12-5 in opening 4-0-0. However, the Stars didn't provide much help for netminder Casey Smith (23 saves), who couldn't overcome turnovers and poor defensive play in front.

The Stars also failed on all four power-play attempts and are 1-for-17 this season.

Dallas, however, managed to open the scoring while short-handed. With 7:41 remaining in the first, the puck bounced out of Dallas' zone on the far boards, where Blackwell picked it up, broke free then deked Lindgren and backhanded it home.

Washington answered just 55 seconds into the second period. Off a Stars' defensive zone turnover, some pinpoint passing from Connor McMichael and Pierre-Luc Dubois concluded with Wilson pushing in the equalizer.

With 13:45 to play in the middle period, the Capitals went ahead. With Alex Ovechkin and Aliakesei Protas screening DeSmith in the slot, Strome's wrister from the blue line found its way through the traffic. Protas picked up the second assist, with John Carlson notching the primary assist.

The Stars evened the score with 6:51 left in the second. After Wyatt Johnson sent the puck on net with bodies in front, Robertson was quick enough to put in Lindgren's rebound amid that traffic. Johnston and Roope Hintz were credited with assists.

Washington capped its second-period scoring when a pair of Capitals again screened DeSmith, opening the door for Raddysh to send an unassisted point blast into the net with 2:41 remaining before intermission.

--Field Level Media

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