The following is a news release published by the Dallas Stars, Dec. 18, 2017.
CAPITAL GAINS
The Dallas Stars return home from a four-game Eastern Conference road trip to face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center. The Stars have collected points in 12-straight overall games against Washington (10-0-2) and have earned points in 27 of the last 28 overall games (22-1-5) against them. Dallas has also registered points in 15 consecutive games (12-0-3) at home against Washington and have not recorded a regulation loss in the Lone Star State since a 4-3 defeat on Oct. 17, 1995 at Reunion Arena. The Stars faced the Capitals twice during the 2016-17 campaign, earning a 1-0-1 record. In the most recent game between the two clubs, the Stars defeated the Capitals, 4-2, on March 6, 2017 at Verizon Center. Forwards Jason Spezza (1-0=1), Devin Shore (1-0=1) and Radek Faksa (1-0=1) lit the lamp for the Stars. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen recorded the victory, logging a season-high in both saves (42) and shots against (44). In nine career games against Washington as a member of the Dallas Stars, Lehtonen has earned an 8-0-1 record with a 2.22 goals against average and a .926 save percentage with one shutout.
"IT'S THAT HANZAL - HE'S SO HOT RIGHT NOW"
Forward Martin Hanzal recorded an assist (0-1=1) on Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers and now has points in two consecutive games (1-1=2). The forward is riding his first point streak as a Dallas Star and his first point streak since he inked the scoresheet in two-straight games (1-1=2) from April 2 - 4, 2017 as a member of the Minnesota Wild. On Friday against the New Jersey Devils, Hanzal lit the lamp (1-0=1) for his first point since Nov. 14 against the Florida Panthers (0-1=1). His goal came on the power play, marking his first goal on the man-advantage since April 8, 2017. The native of Pisek, Czech Republic has skated in 22 games this season and has registered five points (2-3=5). Hanzal has points in three of his last four games against Washington (1-3=4). In his most recent contest against the Capitals on March 28, 2017, he recorded two points (1-1=2). The forward has logged eight career games against the Capitals and has six points (2-4=6).
SMITTEN WITH SMITTY
Forward Gemel Smith recorded the club's lone goal (1-0=1) against the Flyers on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center. With his goal against Philadelphia, the forward now has seven points (3-4=7) in 22 games this season and has a new career-high for points (7) in a single season. Last month, Smith tied his career-long with points in three consecutive games (1-2=3) from Nov. 24 - 30. The native of Toronto, Ont. made his NHL debut last season on Oct. 22, 2016 at Columbus and registered his first NHL point with an assist (0-1=1) on Nov. 5, 2016 vs. Chicago. The forward lit the lamp with two goals (2-0=2) on Nov. 6, 2017 at Chicago for the first goals of his NHL career. In 17 games in 2016-17, he posted six points (3-3=6) with 19 shots on goal.
THE BEST THERE'S EVER BENN
Captain Jamie Benn has five points (2-3=5) over his last five games. Benn is riding a three-game point streak (1-2=3) at American Airlines Center and has eight points (4-4=8) over his last 10 games on home ice. The captain shares first on the Stars with 29 points (13-16=29) in 34 regular-season contests, ranking second in goals (13) and sharing second in assists (16). Additionally, Benn shares first on the club with nine power play points (4-5=9) this season and second in power play goals (4). On home ice this season, Benn ranks fourth on the team with 11 points (5-6=11) in 14 games and ranks second in home goals (5). The native of Victoria, B.C. has a nine-game point streak (4-7=11) against the Capitals and has recorded points in four-straight contests (3-1=4) against them at American Airlines Center.
