Stars-Capitals Preview

Washington Capitals at Dallas Stars
Saturday October 25, 2008
7:00  PM
TV: Channel 27 | Radio: WBAP-820 AM

The Stars are coming off a 5-3 win over the New York Islanders Thursday night, wrapping up their three-game road trip with a 2-1-0 record.

"We got off to a good start tonight," said Stars center Mike Ribeiro, who had a goal and four assists in the game. "We were more physical and our special teams were great."

Ribeiro played on a line with Brenden Morrow, who had a goal and two assists, and Loui Eriksson, who scored two goals.

Injuries: F Steve Ott (groin) and D Doug Janik (eye) are day-to-day. F Jere Lehtinen (groin) and D Sergei Zubov (hip surgery) are out.

The Capitals are coming off a 2-1 loss in Phoenix Thursday. It dropped them to 0-2-0 on their current road trip, which ends in Dallas Saturday, and ran their winless streak to three games (0-2-1).

“We’re just not working,” Washington right wing Matt Bradley said. “We have the skill. We have the good systems in place. We’re just not working. You don’t work, you don’t win. We have only ourselves to blame.”

Caps forward Alexander Semin picked up an assist Thursday, giving him 11 points in seven games (six goals, five assists).

Injuries: D Tom Poti (groin) and D John Erksine (calf) are day-to-day. F Viktor Kozlov (knee) and D Brian Pothier (concussion) are out.

• This is the only meeting between the two teams this season.
• The Stars and Capitals did not meet last season.
• The Stars are 39-27-17 all-time against Washington.

• Stars captain Brenden Morrow has registered points in six of eight games this season.
• The Stars are 4-17 on the power play over their last four games.
• The Stars are 9-10 on the penalty kill over their last two games.
• Alexander Ovechkin has not scored a goal in his last five games and has failed to score a goal in six of Washington's first seven games this season.
• The Capitals have scored just one goal in each of their last two games.