Stars beat Capitals in shootout, 4-3

WASHINGTON — Marty Turco made 49 saves, Brad Richards had a goal and an assist, and the Dallas Stars scored three times in six shots early in the third period en route to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Capitals on Monday night, ending Washington’s club-record home winning streak at 13 games.

Washington’s Alex Ovechkin ended a six-game goal drought, his longest of the season, by scoring twice to match Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby for the league lead with 44. Ovechkin’s second goal came with 3:16 left in the third period and tied the score.

But Turco stopped Ovechkin in the opening round of the shootout, and the Stars went on to take it, 2-1, with Richards and Loui Eriksson beating Semyon Varlamov.

It was a topsy-turvy game: The Capitals took a 2-0 lead after two periods thanks in part to Ovechkin’s first goal. Then the Stars went ahead 3-2 before eight minutes were gone in the third period.

And then Ovechkin — who else? — faked out defenseman Stephane Robidas and sent a shot under the crossbar, eliciting loud “M-V-P!” chants from the stands.

Entering the third period, the hosts were dominating play, holding a 42-16 edge in shots, and had yet to be called for a penalty.

Associated Press