Stars Roll Into D.C. Looking to Extend Capitals' Home Woes

The Dallas Stars make the trip to Capital One Arena on Tuesday night, and the Capitals better hope their home cooking tastes better than it has lately. Washington's been scuffling on their own ice while Dallas continues to roll as one of the West's most consistent outfits.

The Stars bring their trademark stingy defensive structure and elite goaltending to town, the kind of system that's made them a nightmare matchup all season. They don't beat themselves, they capitalize on mistakes, and they travel well. Jake Oettinger has been a brick wall, and the offense—while not flashy—gets timely goals from their top-six when it matters.

Washington's got the firepower to hang with anyone when Alex Ovechkin and company are clicking, but home ice hasn't been the fortress it needs to be. The Capitals have shown vulnerability in their own end, and against a team as disciplined as Dallas, those defensive lapses get punished. The power play needs to show up because five-on-five, the Stars will lock it down.

This feels like a tight, low-event game that comes down to special teams and goaltending—two areas where Dallas has shown more consistency. The Capitals need a statement win at home, but the Stars' road resume suggests they're not handing out freebies.