: The first meeting was a defensive masterclass in Dallas, where Jake Oettinger posted a 24-save shutout in a 1-0 Stars win.
: Radek Faksa set the tone early, scoring a shorthanded goal just three minutes into the first period. : The first meeting was a defensive masterclass
The Dallas Stars ended a grueling six-game losing streak with a definitive 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on January 7, 2026. Wed, Jan 7 Stars won! The Breaking of the Slide Wed, Jan 7 Stars won
The game at Capital One Arena was more than just a regular-season matchup; it was a desperate "get-right" game for a Dallas team that had gone winless since before Christmas. Having been routed 6-3 by Carolina just 24 hours earlier, the Stars turned to backup goaltender , who delivered a stellar 23-save performance to anchor the win. the Stars turned to backup goaltender