The Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars have now wrapped up their season series and the Caps were able to receive revenge for the Stars overtime win in DC only a few days ago. The good guys got great special teams work and a sparkling performance from their rookie goaltender on the way to the 4-1 win.
The shots were even at 25 apiece, but the Caps out-attempted the Stars at five-on-five 37 to 35.
- Ilya Samsonov shone brightly again in his second career NHL start. The big Russian netminder has allowed only two goals on the 51 shots he has faced in his career so far. Gotta think he’ll get more looks this season than Pheonix Copley got last season.
- I liked the overall effort at five-on-five in this one. There wasn’t a whole ton of pace to this game, but the Caps were still able to get positive differentials at five-on-five in shot attempts, scoring chances, and high danger chances. Those numbers look even better when we adjust for score and venue. The record might not reflect it due to a couple bad periods, but the Caps have started this season plain awesome at even strength. Very encouraging small, but dominant sample size.
- The fourth line was a major standout in a great way. Brendan Leipsic in particular felt like he was absolutely everywhere out there and that’s because he was. In the only 7:37 of five-on-five ice time that he got, the Caps saw a plus-nine shot attempt differential (plus-12, minus-3), a plus-five scoring chance differential (plus-7, minus-2), a plus-five high danger chance differential (plus-5, minus-0), and did not face a single shot on goal. He was also a major part of a very successful second power play unit, earning an assist on Tom Wilson‘s goal.
John Carlson scores his second goal of the season to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead. Carlson's nine points (2g, 7a) leads NHL defenseman and he has now scored six points (2g, 4a) in his last three games.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 13, 2019
- Evgeny Kuznetsov has a point in all three games since he’s returned from suspension. I haven’t exactly been in love with his even strength play so far, but he’s impacted the first unit power play greatly in a positive manner. His effortless speed and hands have made zone entries look like a breeze.
- Caps penalty kill was spotless in six Stars opportunities and their own power play put one home in five attempts. Winning the special teams battle is a great way to win hockey games.
- This was the Caps first regulation win in Dallas since October 17, 1995. I was exactly six days old.
Numbers thanks to Hockey-reference.com and NaturalStatTrick.com.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Stars
Headline Photo: NBC Sports Washington
