Semin's goal put an exclamation point on a big night for the Caps all around. Sergei Federov netted two goals, setting the NHL record for goals scored by a Russian-born player, Tomas Fleischmann also had a two-goal game, and Tyler Sloan scored his first career NHL goal of his career.
Federov scored twice, his 474th and 475th of his distinguished career, breaking a tie with Alexander Mogilny. Federov already owned the career record for assists and points by a Russian-born player, with 678 and 1,153.
Fleischmann, 24, put his second goal of the season past Turco with a wrist shot at 16:58 of the first, giving the Caps a 2-1 lead. He tallied again at 15:16 of the second to extend the lead to 4-2. The lead would be short-lived, as Brandon Crombeen scored just 39 seconds later to reduce the lead to one, and Dallas tied it 56 seconds into the third period, with Loui Eriksson beating Caps G Jose Theodore.
Tyler Sloan gave the Caps the lead back again at 2:22 of the third, tapping in a cross-slot pass from Viktor Kozlov, making his return after missing four games with a knee injury. But Stars captain Mike Modano punched one in at the post with just 57 seconds remaining in regulation, forcing the extra period.
Jose Theodore (3-2-0) stopped 26 of the 31 shots he faced, but it was enough for the win.
The Caps celebrate Alexander Semin's game-winning goal. (Photo by AP.)
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SCORESHEET:
WAS: Federov (2) from Semin and Backstrom (1-12:38-PP); Fleischmann (2) from Nylander (1-16:58); Federov (3) from Semin and Laich (2-11:23); Fleischmann (3) from Nylander (2-15:16); Sloan (1) from Kozlov and Ovechkin (3-2:22); Semin (7) from Gordon and Green (OT-2:17)
DAL: Avery (1) from Crombeen and Modano (1-10:19); Brunnstrom (5) from Avery and Robidas (1-19:50-PP); Crombeen (1) from Daley and Modano (2-15:55); Eriksson (4) from Ribeiro and Morrow (2-0:56); Modano (4) from Morrow and Erikkson (3-19:03)
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THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY
GOOD: The Scoresheet! Six goals, bask in the glory. OK, that might be a little strong. But after scoring just once in losses against Phoenix and Calgary, it was about time for the Caps to bust out. Special congrats to Federov, for becoming the all-time NHL Russian-born goals, assists and points leader, and to Tyler Sloan, at 27 scoring his first career NHL goal in his third game.
BAD: The Defense. What defense? Modano sat on the doorstep and was uncontested banging home the game tying goal with less than a minute to go. Green and Morrisson were both -1 for the game. This team really needs to get Poti back.
UGLY: Marty Turco. What's happened to him? He used to be one of the best goalies in the league, but he's been absolutely miserable this year. He came in with a 4.70 GAA and it'll only go up after allowing six tonight.
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NEXT GAME: Tuesday, October 28 against the Nashville Predators at 7:00 pm at Verizon Center.
RECORD: 4-3-1, one-game winning streak.
NOTES: The Stars were previously undefeated in eleven games against Washington in Dallas. The teams did not meet last season.
Tom Poti sat once again, nursing his sore groin. Eric Fehr and Dave Steckel were healthy scratches. Coach Bruce Boudreau hoped the night off would inspire and refocus Steckel, who has been struggling on offense and on face-offs, a critical part of his job.
Federov (2 goals), Modano (goal, two assists) and Semin (goal, two assists) were the three stars, as voted by attending media.
Attendance at American Airlines Center was 18,532.
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