The Capitals continue their three-game homestand tonight when they host the Dallas Stars at 7 p.m. Tonight’s tilt marks the first of two games between the teams this season. Washington and Dallas will conclude their season series on Dec. 15 at American Airlines Center. The Capitals, whose three-game winning streak was snapped Sunday against Minnesota, are 3-1-0 after a loss this season.
Cole Hutson posted a +20 shot attempt differential at 5v5 on Sunday, the fourth-highest differential by any player in a game this season (h/t Mike Vogel). In addition, the Capitals had shot attempt differentials of +13 and +12 with Alex Ovechkin and Jack St. Ivany, Hutson’s defense partner, on the ice, respectively. Hutson’s 56.8 shot attempt percentage at 5v5 leads the Capitals this season, while his +4 on-ice even-strength goal differential ranks fourth on the team. The 20-year-old defenseman has recorded three points (2g, 1a) in his last two games and has eight points (4g, 4a) in 13 games this season. Hutson leads Washington blueliners in goals and ranks second in points, shots (26) and plus-minus (+4).
UPCOMING PLAYER MILESTONES
Alex Ovechkin – 2 assists shy of passing Nicklas Backstrom (762) for the most assists in franchise history; 9 points shy of 1,700 career points; 10 goals shy of passing Wayne Gretzky (1,016) for the most combined goals (regular season + playoffs) in NHL history
Ryan Leonard – 3 games shy of 100 career games
Logan Thompson – 1 win shy of passing Pat Riggin (67) for the eighth-most wins in franchise history
Charlie Lindgren – 1 game shy of passing Ron Low (145) for the fifth-most games played by a goaltender in franchise history; 1 win shy of passing Jim Carey and Pete Peeters (70) for the fifth-most wins in franchise history; 1 shutout shy of passing Al Jensen (8) for the fifth-most shutouts in franchise history