In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals are on top of the Southeast Division and only look up to two teams in the conference standings. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are all alone on top of both the Central Division and Western Conference. Tuesday at Verizon Center, the stars will be out literally and figuratively as Dallas and Washington face off in a match-up of the NHL's best.
The 10-3-0 Stars have won three straight and four of five while getting solid contribution from both their offense and goaltending. Kari Lehtonen is 10-1-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .936 SV%, while the Stars have scored 15 goals in their last three games. Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn lead the charge with 15 points each.
Eriksson was named the NHL's "Second Star" of the week with six points in two games as he will face the NHL's "Third Star" of the week, Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom had six points in three games.
The Stars are streaking and the Caps will look to put an end to that by starting another winning streak of their own. After a dominant 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes Friday, Washington blew a 2-0 lead and lost 5-3 to the New York Islanders Saturday. Last season, the Stars defeated the Caps 2-1 in overtime, which started the latter's eight-game losing streak. The last three meetings between these two teams have gone to overtime.