What happened: The Washington Capitals face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night in the District of Columbia. Dallas makes its lone trip to Washington for the regular season. The Capitals prepare to counter a system that shares characteristics with the Minnesota Wild.

Why it matters: Washington enters the contest seeking sharper execution around the net against structured Western Conference opposition. For the Dallas Stars, the matchup marks their sole scheduled appearance in the nation's capital this season.

What to watch: Puck drop between the Capitals and Stars is set for Tuesday night in Washington. The Capitals wrap up game preparations focused on offensive zone finishing.