The Dallas Stars are back on the ice tonight, looking to snap a season-worst six-game losing streak as they face off against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast live on TNT. Both teams come into this matchup with plenty to prove—and with a recent history of high-scoring games, fans are expecting fireworks.
The Stars, sporting a 25-10-8 record as of January 7, 2026, are licking their wounds after a tough 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes just last night. That defeat marked the sixth consecutive loss for Dallas (0-3-3 during this stretch), a surprising downturn for a team that has been considered a Stanley Cup contender throughout much of the season. Head coach Pete DeBoer’s squad hasn’t been able to keep pucks out of their own net, allowing at least four goals in every game during the skid, and a whopping 4.33 goals per game over the last six outings. That’s not the kind of defensive form you want to bring into a matchup against a Capitals team that’s been finding the back of the net with increasing regularity.
Washington, meanwhile, enters the contest with a 22-15-6 record, fresh off a 7-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday. The Capitals have been a streaky bunch since December 19, managing just three wins over that stretch, but they’re showing signs of life offensively. Over their last seven games, Washington has averaged a remarkable eight total goals per game, with six of those contests going over the 6.5-goal mark—a trend that matches Dallas’ recent run of high-scoring affairs. The Capitals’ home record of 13-7-3 at Capital One Arena gives them a slight edge, at least on paper.
Tonight’s goaltending matchup features Casey DeSmith for the Stars and Logan Thompson for the Capitals. DeSmith, who came in as relief during last night’s loss in Carolina, stopped 16 of 17 shots faced and is expected to get the start this evening. He’s been a bright spot for Dallas in a tough stretch, holding a 9-2-4 record, a .913 save percentage, and a +10.1 goals saved above expected (GSAx) in 16 appearances this year. Since the start of last season, he’s quietly been one of the league’s most reliable backup options. On the other side, Thompson’s .915 save percentage across 30 appearances and his +15.9 GSAx rating have earned him a spot on Canada’s Olympic roster. Still, he’s struggled over his last five games, posting a .874 save percentage, though he remains sixth in the NHL in goals saved above average for the season.
Offensively, the Stars have relied on their elite finishing and a deep, talented core featuring Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Wyatt Johnston. Rantanen, in particular, has been on a tear, tallying points in three straight games and amassing 59 points (42 assists) in just 42 appearances. Dallas leads the NHL with a 13.47% shooting percentage and boasts the league’s second-best power play at a 30% success rate. That’s a critical advantage against a Capitals penalty kill that’s been less effective, operating at just 76.9% this season.
Washington, under head coach Spencer Carbery, has emphasized structured, team-oriented play, particularly at even strength. Their mobile defensive corps has helped push the pace and get involved offensively, but the team lacks the kind of elite, game-breaking talent Dallas enjoys up front. Injuries have also taken a toll, with Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas both sidelined for tonight’s tilt. Still, the Capitals have shown they can grind out wins through disciplined play and opportunistic scoring, even if their power play ranks near the bottom of the league.
Analysts are expecting another high-scoring affair, given both teams’ recent trends. Five of the last six Dallas games have gone over 6.5 goals, and the Over is 6-1 in Washington’s last seven. Both clubs have struggled with defensive consistency and penalty killing lately, leading to plenty of chances at both ends of the ice. As one prediction put it, “Dallas is reeling defensively, having yielded 4.33 goals per game over its last 6. Opposing power plays have cranked out a 33.3% success rate over that stretch.” According to USA TODAY Sports, “Both sides have shaky 5-on-5 defensive metrics over the last couple weeks. And both penalty kills have been slumping as well.”
Tonight’s betting odds reflect the uncertainty and excitement around this matchup. The Capitals are slight favorites, with moneyline odds ranging from -115 to -135, while the Stars are available at +115 to +102 depending on the book. The puck line favors Washington at -1.5 (+180 to +205), and the over/under is set at 6.5 (+100 to +105 on the over). With both teams trending toward high-scoring games and neither goaltender in peak form, it’s no surprise that many are leaning toward the over.
Despite their current skid, the Stars’ underlying metrics suggest they remain a dangerous team, particularly with the man advantage. Their +26 goal differential and potent offensive core mean they can turn things around in a hurry, especially if DeSmith continues his strong play in net. The Capitals, meanwhile, are hoping their recent offensive outburst and home-ice advantage will be enough to exploit Dallas’ defensive woes and keep their own playoff hopes alive.
With so much on the line for both clubs, tonight’s contest promises plenty of drama and, if recent trends hold, more than a few goals. Will Dallas snap out of its funk and get back in the win column, or will Washington capitalize on the Stars’ struggles and extend their misery? One thing’s for sure: fans tuning in are in for an entertaining, action-packed night of NHL hockey.
As the puck prepares to drop in Washington, all eyes will be on these two teams to see which one can seize the moment and shift the momentum in their favor. With playoff positioning and pride at stake, expect both the Stars and Capitals to leave it all on the ice tonight.
