StarPoints For 3/8 vs Washington

1.)  The Stars and Capitals are facing each other for the first and only time this season. Tonight’s game is the first time the Stars will play in Washington since November 30, 2006. Dallas lost the only meeting between the teams last season 5-6 on a goal by Alexander Semin in overtime. The Stars are 39-27-18 all-time against the Capitals and have gone 12-2-3 since the 1996-97 season. Dallas has outscored Washington 62-35 in those 17 games.
 
2.)  It’s no secret that Washington is the league’s most offensive team, having scored a league-leading (257) for the league’s largest goal differential (+75). Although Washington’s streak of scoring three or more goals was snapped at 23 consecutive games on Saturday, the Capitals still managed to pick up a 2-0 win over the Rangers. The Stars will have their hands full with offensive threats Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom among others. Luckily for Dallas, goaltender Marty Turco is 3-0-1 over his career against Washington with a 2.31 goals-against average.

3.)  Mike Modano leads all Stars players in goals (12), assists (30) and points (42) in just 31 career games against the Capitals. He was the Stars’ leading scorer in last year’s game, tallying a goal and two assists in the loss. Brad Richards has accumulated 29 points (6g, 23a) in 44 contests against Washington, while captain Brenden Morrow has collected 13 points (5g, 8a) in just nine games. The Stars are 10-3-2 in 15 meetings against Capitals’ goaltender Jose Theodore.
 
4.)  Mike Ribeiro continues to be a bright spot for the Stars on offense. Since returning on February 9 from injury, Ribeiro has scored five goals and three assists. He picked up a goal and an assist Saturday against Pittsburgh and is looking to continue tonight with his offensive momentum. He has collected seven assists in 15 career contests against the Capitals.
 
5.)  One to watch for: Left wing Alexander Semin has helped power the Capital’s blazing offense this season with 66 points (30g, 36a) in 56 games. Five of Semin’s goals this season have been game winners. In last season’s game against Dallas, Semin notched a goal and two assists, including the game winner in overtime. He has registered four points (2g, 2a) in three career games against the Stars.