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Stars return home to face Capitals

Oct 25, 2008 - 10:44 AM Washington (3-3-1) at Dallas (3-4-1), 8:00pm EDT

DALLAS (Ticker) -- After nearly a week on the road, the Dallas Stars return home this weekend trying to overcome a sluggish start to their season.

The Stars will host the Washington Capitals on Saturday night in hopes of evening their record.

Dallas, which advanced to the Western Conference finals last season before being dispatched by the eventual champion Detroit Red Wings, didn't look much like a title contender early on this season. The Stars went 1-3-1 over its first five games, but rebounded with a pair of wins this week.

Playing three road games in four days, the Stars picked up two victories - including a 5-3 triumph over the New York Islanders on Thursday. Center Mike Ribeiro recorded one goal and a career-high four assists in the victory.

The impressive win was a much-needed rebound from their performance on Wednesday. The Stars were shut out for the first time this season, 5-0, by the New Jersey Devils.

The Capitals, meanwhile, are headed in the opposite direction. The reigning Southeast Division champs haven't won in more than a week and are in the midst of an offensive slump. They have managed just two goals over their last two games, resulting in road losses to the Calgary Flames and Phoenix Coyotes.

Washington will have another stiff road test on Saturday. The Capitals will look to 2007-08 Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin, who has recorded just two goals in seven games this season following last year's 65-goal performance.