The Stars won the sixth game for the second time and are now one point behind the Western Conference final playoff spot. They still have 21 games to play, three more than their closest rival: the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Stars needed to finish this road trip with two points, given their inconsistent play. Hintz's 24th- and 25th-season goals, Alexander Radulov's fourth- and 36th saves by Jake Oettinger, who was playing back-to-back days without Braden Holtby, were the key factors in their success.
Coach Rick Bowness of Dallas said, "Overall we're playing very well." "Our numbers are very good. It is important to save quickly and reach your goal on time. This is a huge issue right now. Not only do you need to save on time, but you also need to set a goal.
Hintz scored the timely goal just six minutes after Ovechkin had fired a one timer past Oettinger during the second period. Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky tied for the lead with the goal. Oettinger became the Capitals' 156th goalie.
The Stars made a few quick saves. They were able to stop John Carlson with seven seconds left in the third period, which was dominated by Capitals. In the third period, Washington beat Dallas 14-2. This allowed a tired opponent to win.
Evgeny Kuznetsov's point streak was extended to nine games after he assisted on Ovechkin’s 770th career goal. Dmitry Orlov scored a goal in the third period, but the Capitals lost their point streak to eight. This was after a 7-0-1 run that began on March 1, when the calendar was flipped to March.
The Capitals were without T.J. Oshie, Nic Dowd, and Trevor van Riemsdyk, the Capitals' injured forwards. After being placed on injured reserve, Van Riemsdyk is expected to miss the next two games.
With 20.4 seconds remaining, Carlson took a tumble onto the boards and was slashed by Stars captain Jamie Benn. Carlson took a while to stand up after being slashed by Stars captain Jamie Benn and he vented his frustration to officials.
NOTES: Holtby was not in uniform but received a standing ovation and a video tribute during his first visit to his old arena since he left in free agency in 2020. Holtby was drafted in the Capitals. He played for them for 10 years, winning the Vezina Trophy 2016 and helping them to the Stanley Cup 2018. Holtby's final game with Washington was in a quarantined bubble at Toronto in 2020. ... The Stars played their first Washington game since Oct. 8, 2019, in Washington. Thomas Harley was replaced by Joel Hanley on the Stars' blue line. Bowness claimed that Harley was scratched because of too many goals against. After missing the last three COVID-19 protocols games, Center Lars Eller was able to return for Washington. According to Peter Laviolette, Eller was positive for coronavirus on Saturday after the team returned from Vancouver.
UP NEXT
Stars: Tuesday night's host Connor McDavid will be joined by the Edmonton Oilers.
Capitals: Tuesday Night Host of the St. Louis Blues
