The first period of the Capitals tilt against the Dallas Stars ended in a scoreless draw with both teams failing to capitalize on several quality scoring chances as the Capitals outshot the Stars, 14-7.
Erich Fehr's stuff attempt in the games first minute was stopped by the Stars Andrew Raycroft, then Fehr missed wide right on a rebound attempt with the net virtually wide open.
Alex Ovechkin also whiffed on a shot after a clean faceoff win by the Capitals. Ovechkin was open at the top of the slot, but whiffed as he attempted to shoot into a wide open shooting lane.
Michael Neuvirth, making his first start since Nov. 20, made several big stops in the first period despite not facing many shots.
Neuvirth stopped Brenden Morrow from the bottom of the right circle in the games first five minutes, then stopped Jamie Benn as he streaked down the near boards several minutes later.
Neuvirth's best save came on a scramble in front on an attempt by Brad Richards. With Neuvirth down on his knees and several players around him, Richards attempted to stuff the puck in, but Neuvirth easily stopped the puck before covering it.
Caps defenseman John Erskine left the game early after loosing his footing on a check and falling akwardly into the end boards. Erskine did, however, with a little over four minutes left in the period.
Newly acquired defensemen Scott Hannan skated seven minutes and 30 seconds in his Capitals debut, which led all Capitals in the first period