The Dallas Stars vs Capitals preview centers on two teams trying to shake off recent losses when they meet Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Capital One Arena in Washington. Dallas enters at 8-5-1, tied for fourth in the Central Division, while Washington sits at 8-5-0, third in the Metropolitan Division. Both clubs dropped their most recent game, making this the first matchup of the season series and a chance for either side to right itself early.
Stars Vs Capitals Game Information
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 3
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, MNMT, Prime Video (Local)
- Series: First meeting of the 2026-27 season
By The Numbers
- Goals (season total): Dallas 37, Washington 44
- Points (season total): Dallas 100, Washington 115
- Shooting percentage: Dallas 10.3%, Washington 12.2%
- Goals against average: Dallas 2.14, Washington 3.23
- Save percentage: Dallas .913, Washington .895
- Faceoff percentage: Dallas 55.6%, Washington 49.2%
- Power-play goals: Dallas 7, Washington 6
- Penalty minutes: Dallas 132, Washington 135
Dallas Stars Outlook
Dallas has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, going 3-2 in that stretch with a 3-1 win over Columbus on Nov. 1. The Stars carry the better goals against average of the two clubs at 2.14, backed by a .913 team save percentage, numbers that reflect a defense that has allowed just 30 goals this season. Dallas also wins faceoffs at a 55.6% clip, a sizable edge over Washington’s 49.2%, which could help the Stars control puck possession in the neutral zone.
Mikko Rantanen leads Dallas in all three major scoring categories with 7 goals, 10 assists and 17 points. Jake Oettinger is listed as the probable starting goalie for Dallas. On the injury front, the Stars are without forwards Matt Duchene (abdomen), Oskar Back (finger fracture) and defensemen Kyle Capobianco (left leg) and Luke Krys (undisclosed), all on injured reserve.
Washington Capitals Outlook
Washington has split its last five games 3-2, including a 5-1 loss to Minnesota on Nov. 1 that snapped momentum from back-to-back wins over Philadelphia and Nashville. The Capitals have scored 44 goals this season, seven more than Dallas, and their offense has produced 115 total points compared to the Stars’ 100. Alex Tuch paces Washington with 10 goals and 12 points, while Dylan Strome leads the team with 9 assists.
Logan Thompson is projected as the probable starting goalie for Washington. The Capitals are shorthanded on defense, with Vincent Desharnais (abdomen surgery) and Rasmus Sandin (right knee surgery) both on injured reserve, along with center Patrick Thomas (upper body). Washington’s .895 team save percentage and 3.23 goals against average trail Dallas by a wide margin, a gap that has shown up in its two losses this past week.
Key Matchup
Dallas’ faceoff advantage against Washington’s offensive depth figures to shape puck management on Tuesday. The Stars win draws at a 55.6% rate compared to the Capitals’ 49.2%, a gap that could limit how often Tuch, Strome and the rest of Washington’s attack gets set up in the offensive zone. Washington has outscored Dallas by seven goals this season, but the Stars’ goaltending tandem, led by Oettinger, has allowed 12 fewer goals overall. How Thompson handles a Dallas team that shoots efficiently at 10.3% and controls possession through the faceoff circle will go a long way toward deciding which of these two mid-pack clubs starts to pull away in its division.
What To Watch
Both teams sit in playoff position within their divisions but have shown recent inconsistency, with Dallas 3-2 and Washington 3-2 over their last five outings. A win Tuesday would snap a two-game slide for whichever team is coming off its most recent loss. The Stars’ injury list includes four players, led by Duchene’s abdomen issue, while the Capitals are managing long-term absences for Desharnais and Sandin. How each club’s thinned-out depth chart holds up against the other’s top scorers, Rantanen for Dallas and Tuch for Washington, will be a storyline to track as the season series opener unfolds.
For more on Dallas’ recent stretch, see the recap of the Stars’ loss to the Canadiens and the overtime win over the Jets. Dallas also continues extension talks covered in the report on Jason Robertson’s contract situation.
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