On Thursday, the Dallas Stars (3-0) face off against the Washington Capitals (0-1) at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Make sure you stay up to date with all the NHL action, with our expert NHL picks.

Washington comes into this matchup on a one-game losing streak, but has won three of their last five games dating back to the preseason and before their regular series game against Vegas. In a 5-3 defeat against the New Jersey Devils, John Carlson stood out for the Washington Capitals by contributing both a goal and an assist. Reflecting on last season's performance, Dylan Strome emerged as the top point scorer for Washington, amassing a total of 67 points. Following closely was the renowned Alex Ovechkin, who secured his spot as the second-leading point scorer with 65 points. However, it was Ovechkin who dominated in the goal-scoring department, netting 31 goals throughout the season. John Carlson demonstrated his playmaking skills by leading the team with 42 assists. As the Capitals approach their next match against the Dallas Stars, who have had an impressive start to their season, they aim to capitalize on their home-ice advantage. In their recent five games, Washington has averaged 3.4 goals, while their overall scoring average from the previous season stood at 2.6 goals per game.

Dallas enters this game on a three-game winning streak and has won four of their last five games dating back to the preseason and before their regular series game against San Jose. In their recent 2-0 victory against Seattle, Wyatt Johnston contributed significantly to the Dallas Stars' success by netting one of the goals. During the previous season, Jason Robertson was a powerhouse for the team, amassing a team-high total of 80 points. Close behind him, Joe Pavelski was also a key player, securing the position of the team's second-highest scorer with 67 points. Notably, Wyatt Johnston made a remarkable impact by leading the team in goals, finding the back of the net 32 times over the course of the season. In terms of playmaking, Jason Robertson emerged as the top assist provider for the Stars, delivering a total of 51 assists. Examining their recent performance, Dallas has been impressive in their last five games, averaging 3.2 goals per match. The Stars have started the current season on a high note, clinching victories in their first three matchups, and are eager to maintain this positive momentum as they travel to face off against Washington. Reflecting on their performance from last season, Dallas averaged 3.6 goals per game, underscoring their consistent offensive strength.

Brian's NBA Expert Free Play - Sunday 1/26/20

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