The Dallas Stars had a four-goal lead, watched it shrink, and still found a way to leave Washington with a win.
Jason Robertson was the difference.
Robertson scored three consecutive goals in the second period to record a natural hat trick, helping Dallas hold off the Washington Capitals 6-5 Tuesday night at Capital One Arena.
The Stars got on the board first when Joel Kiviranta scored in the opening period. Then Robertson took over.
He scored on the power play early in the second before finding the net twice more, completing his hat trick in a span of just over five minutes. The three goals gave Dallas a commanding advantage and put Washington in an early hole.
Mikko Rantanen added to the lead later in the period, reaching 800 career NHL points in the process.
Washington, however, made things uncomfortable.
The Capitals scored three times in the second period to cut into the Dallas advantage. Roope Hintz pushed the Stars back in front by three with an early third-period goal, but Washington continued to apply pressure.
Justin Sourdif and Ryan Leonard scored late, with Leonard bringing the Capitals within one in the final minutes.
Dallas held on.
Robertson finished with four points, while Hintz contributed a goal and two assists. Rantanen added a goal, and Jake Oettinger finished with 20 saves.
For Dallas, the biggest takeaway was getting the two points. The Stars built a sizable advantage, but Washington made them work until the final horn.
