Stars Survive Wild Shootout in D.C., Edge Capitals 6-5

The Dallas Stars escaped Capital One Arena with a 6-5 victory Tuesday night in a game that had more twists than a pretzel factory. This wasn't defensive hockey—this was organized chaos with goalies playing spectator for most of the evening.

Dallas jumped ahead early and looked comfortable until Washington remembered they had a hockey team to ice. The Capitals clawed back repeatedly, turning this into the kind of track meet that makes coaches reach for the Tums. Every time one team grabbed momentum, the other answered. Eleven combined goals will do that.

The difference? Dallas found one more puck in the back of the net when it mattered. In a game where defense took a vacation and goaltending was more suggestion than reality, the Stars' offensive firepower proved just enough to outlast a stubborn Capitals squad that refused to fold.

Washington's fifth goal probably had their fans believing in miracles, but Dallas slammed the door when it counted. Both teams will want to tighten things up defensively—this 6-5 final is entertaining for neutrals but nightmare fuel for coaches watching the tape.

No DarkHorse pick here, so we're just observers to the madness. Sometimes hockey gives you a chess match. Tonight it gave us a bar fight. Dallas walks away with two points and probably a few gray hairs.