Dallas Stars at Washington Capitals 

Even with Alex Ovechkin failing to produce at his normal prolific clip, the NHL-leading Washington Capitals have come out of the Olympic break looking poised at making a run at the Stanley Cup.

The Dallas Stars, hoping to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence, have not played with the same intensity since the Vancouver Games. Ovechkin and the Capitals look to win their fourth straight overall and their 14th in a row at home Monday night when they face a Stars team trying to avoid its fourth consecutive loss.

Washington has looked like a favorite to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup for much of the season, but it went through a rough stretch a few weeks ago, losing its final three games before the Olympics. The team has since regrouped, winning its first three contests since the NHL resumed play. The Capitals defeated the New York Rangers 2-0 on Saturday night to extend the club-record home winning streak to 13. Jose Theodore made 30 saves for his first shutout since March 17, and has stopped 53 of 54 shots in two starts since the Olympics. He has been in goal for seven games during the home winning streak, posting a 1.99 goals-against average. With Lehtonen still recovering from back surgery, Marty Turco could be back in net for this game. Although Lehtonen started for the Stars last game. The only reson Turco really should get the start is because Turco is 3-0-1 with a 2.31 GAA in five career appearances against the Capitals. With Ovechkin and Backstrom both struggling and both goaltenders with a very good GAA there is no reason this line should be 6.5

Free Hockey Pick: Take the UNDER 6.5 for 1 unit

If you like George's free pick then make sure you check out all his NHL plays at his website HOT SPORTS PLAYS .com!

Enjoy today's free NHL winner and thanks again to our Guest Handicapper George Pappas.

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