Robertson's hat trick lifts Dallas past Washington 6-5 in a wild second period

The Capitals lost a wild one at home Thursday night, falling to the Dallas Stars 6-5 in a game that was essentially decided in one chaotic second period.

Washington got on the board in the second period through Jordan Kyrou, who finished with a goal and two assists for three points on the night. That was the best individual performance in a Capitals uniform, and it still wasn't close to enough.

Jason Robertson was the reason why. The Dallas forward scored three times in the middle frame, all on snap shots, and finished with four points. His first came off a feed from Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz. His second, assisted by Arttu Hyry and Tyler Myers. His third, set up by Thomas Harley and Hintz again. Three goals, one period, game effectively over.

The second period was a nightmare for Washington. Dallas put up five goals in the frame. Robertson's hat trick was bad enough. Then Mikko Rantanen added one off Johnston and Jamie Benn. Roope Hintz also contributed two assists in the period before adding a goal of his own in the third.

Washington did show some fight. Boone Jenner scored in the second, with Ryan Leonard and Martin Fehervary picking up the assists. Jakob Chychrun added another, assisted by Dylan Strome and Kyrou. Justin Sourdif got one in the third on a deflection, with Anthony Beauvillier and Ilya Protas assisting. Ryan Leonard closed it out with a goal in the third, but the Capitals never got closer than one.

Dallas got on the board first. Joel Kiviranta opened the scoring in the first period on a backhand, with Radek Faksa and Thomas Harley assisting.

Washington drops to 8-6-0 and 16 points. Dallas improves to 9-5-1 and 19 points. Kyrou's three-point night was the lone bright spot in a game the Capitals let get away from them before the second period was halfway done.

Leonard's late goal made the final score look respectable. It wasn't.