Capitals’ Furious Comeback Falls Short in 6-5 Loss to Dallas Stars as Jason Robertson Records Natural Hat Trick
By Brian Hradsky
FINAL: Dallas Stars 6, Washington Capitals 5
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals nearly completed one of their most dramatic comebacks of the young 2026-27 NHL season Tuesday night, but a disastrous second period ultimately proved too much to overcome. Washington rallied from a four-goal deficit and scored twice in the third period before falling 6-5 to the Dallas Stars at Capital One Arena. Jason Robertson delivered a devastating natural hat trick in just 5 minutes, 20 seconds, while the Capitals’ late offensive surge fell one goal short of forcing overtime.
The loss dropped Washington to 8-6-0 and marked its second consecutive defeat on home ice. Dallas improved to 9-5-1 behind Robertson’s four-point performance and contributions from several of its top offensive players. Jordan Kyrou led Washington with a goal and two assists, while Ryan Leonard and Jakob Chychrun each recorded a goal and an assist. Despite the final result, the Capitals demonstrated impressive resilience after falling behind 4-0 early in the second period.
Robertson’s Hat Trick Buries Washington Early
Dallas opened the scoring at 8:56 of the first period when Joel Kiviranta capitalized on a loose puck near the Washington net. Radek Faksa’s attempt struck the post, and Kiviranta collected the rebound before beating Logan Thompson. The goal gave the Stars a 1-0 advantage entering the first intermission, setting the stage for a remarkable offensive explosion from Robertson.
Just 23 seconds into the second period, Robertson scored on the power play with a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle. He struck again at 3:18, maneuvering around Chychrun along the boards before firing a shot past Thompson. At 5:43, Robertson completed his natural hat trick with a shot through traffic that found the net off the post. His three consecutive goals gave Dallas a commanding 4-0 lead and forced Washington to make a goaltending change.
Robertson’s performance represented the third-fastest natural hat trick in Stars franchise history. The Dallas forward recorded his sixth, seventh and eighth goals of the season during the outburst, showing exactly why he remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive threats. Washington struggled to contain his shooting opportunities, particularly during the opening minutes of the middle period. By the time the Capitals adjusted, Dallas had established a seemingly insurmountable advantage.
Capitals Respond With Three Second-Period Goals
Washington finally broke through at 11:00 of the second period when Kyrou scored on the power play. The Capitals forward collected a rebound from a Cole Hutson shot and slipped the puck past Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger. Dylan Strome also earned an assist on the play, giving Washington its first sign of offensive momentum. The goal reduced the deficit to 4-1 and sparked a much more aggressive attacking approach.
Dallas answered at 14:50 when Mikko Rantanen scored to restore the Stars’ four-goal cushion. The goal also marked Rantanen’s 800th career NHL point, making him the fourth Finnish-born player to reach that milestone. Washington refused to fold, however, and Boone Jenner scored at 16:58 with a wrist shot that beat Oettinger. Leonard and Martin Fehervary assisted on the play, bringing the Capitals within three goals.
Chychrun then delivered another important power-play goal with just 30 seconds remaining in the period. His one-timer at 19:30, assisted by Strome and Kyrou, cut the Stars’ lead to 5-3 entering the third. Washington had scored three goals in less than nine minutes and transformed what appeared to be a blowout into a competitive contest. The Capitals entered the final period with renewed confidence and a realistic opportunity to complete an unlikely comeback.
Dallas Gets the Insurance Goal It Needs
Washington’s comeback suffered another setback just 1:23 into the third period when Roope Hintz scored to extend Dallas’ lead to 6-3. His attempted pass deflected off Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary and into the net, giving the Stars a fortunate but crucial insurance goal. Robertson and Esa Lindell received assists on the play. That goal eventually became the difference in the game.
The Capitals continued pressing offensively and cut the deficit to 6-4 at 12:55 when Justin Sourdif received credit for a goal following a sequence of deflections near the Dallas net. Anthony Beauvillier and Ilya Protas assisted as Washington once again moved within striking distance. With more than seven minutes remaining, the Capitals had time to generate additional opportunities. Dallas increasingly found itself protecting a lead rather than controlling the pace of play.
Washington’s final breakthrough came at 18:58 when Leonard scored with the Capitals skating six attackers against five Dallas defenders. Leonard fired a snap shot from the left circle into the upper corner, with Kyrou and Chychrun collecting assists. The goal brought Washington within 6-5 with 1:02 remaining, creating a frantic finish at Capital One Arena. Dallas survived the closing seconds and escaped with both standings points.
Goaltending Struggles Prove Costly
Thompson endured one of his most difficult outings of the season, allowing four goals on 11 shots before being replaced early in the second period. Charlie Lindgren entered in relief and allowed two goals on 11 shots, helping stabilize Washington after Robertson’s offensive explosion. The Capitals’ goaltending problems contributed significantly to the early deficit, although defensive breakdowns also created dangerous scoring opportunities. Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger finished with 20 saves on 25 shots and survived Washington’s late rally.
Washington’s offensive production offered encouragement, particularly its ability to score twice on the power play and generate five goals against a quality opponent. However, the Capitals cannot expect to win consistently when surrendering six goals, especially when four arrive before the midway point of regulation. Washington must improve its defensive coverage and limit uncontested shooting opportunities in dangerous areas. The team’s response demonstrated determination, but the early mistakes ultimately outweighed its offensive accomplishments.
MSB Take: Washington Cannot Keep Digging Itself Into Holes
The Capitals deserve credit for refusing to quit, but this was a game they should never have allowed to get so far out of reach. Falling behind 4-0 at home is unacceptable for a team with postseason aspirations, regardless of the opponent’s offensive talent. Robertson’s natural hat trick was spectacular, but Washington made life far too easy for Dallas during those disastrous opening minutes of the second period. The defensive structure simply was not good enough.
There were encouraging developments, particularly the performances of Kyrou, Leonard and Chychrun. Washington scored five times against a talented Dallas team, demonstrated dangerous power-play capabilities and nearly stole a point despite an enormous deficit. Leonard’s late goal was another example of his offensive potential, while Kyrou’s three-point performance highlighted his importance to Washington’s attack. Those contributions should provide confidence heading into the next game.
However, the Capitals need more consistency from their defense and goaltending. Washington cannot rely on dramatic third-period comebacks to compensate for poor starts, particularly against legitimate playoff contenders. The six goals allowed represent a serious concern, and the coaching staff must address the defensive breakdowns that permitted Robertson to dominate the second period. The Capitals have enough offensive talent to compete with strong opponents, but they must become considerably harder to score against.
What’s Next for Washington?
The Capitals will conclude their three-game homestand Saturday, November 7, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. Washington enters that matchup looking to end its two-game losing streak and improve on its 8-6-0 record. The Panthers represent another challenging opponent, making defensive improvements especially important before the Capitals return to action. Washington must turn Tuesday’s encouraging offensive response into a more complete 60-minute performance.
