(My Sportsbook) - Washington's three-game win streak slipped away on Wednesday with a 6-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Capitals weren't very pleased with the effort, including goalie Olaf Kolzig.

"It was a stinker for us. They're a tired team and we let them off the hook," Kolzig said. "We let them create some energy."

Coach Bruce Cassidy explained that Washington's problems have stemmed from its inability to stop opponents from scoring virtually every period.

"When we struggled we gave up it seemed like a goal every period," Cassidy told The Washington post, "And we couldn't shut teams down when we had to, especially out of the gate...In the first period, if the other team comes out with a zero you're in the game; no matter how good or bad you may have played, you're in the game."

Now things get even tougher when the Capitals face the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. The Blackhawks will try to extend their unbeaten streak to five games when they meet Washington at United Center. The game is the only meeting between these teams this season.

The Blackhawks skated to a 2-2 tie with the Florida Panthers on Monday to give them a 3-0-1 mark in their last four games. Chicago has not lost since a 4-1 setback to Edmonton on November 3.

In Monday's contest, Steve Sullivan and Igor Korolev, playing in his 700th NHL game, scored for the Blackhawks. Jocelyn Thibault made 30 saves.

Phil Housley appeared to give the Blackhawks the victory in overtime, but the goal was nullified because Chicago had a skater in the crease.

Thibault, who had a pair of shutouts and won all three of his starts last week, was named NHL Player of the Week on Monday.

The Blackhawks went 1-for-7 on the power play. Chicago, which is expected to receive winger Eric Daze back in the lineup tonight, has not lost in its last 43 games when leading after the second period (38-0-5).

Daze, who led the team with 38 goals and 70 points last season, has missed the first 15 games of the campaign after undergoing back surgery on September 25.

Last season, the Blackhawks and Capitals met only once with Washington taking a 3-1 decision at the MCI Center. The Blackhawks are 2-2-1 in their last five games against the Capitals. At home, the Blackhawks have a record of 2-3-0 versus the Caps in their last five games, 5-5-0 in their last 10, and 9-6-0 in their last 15 games.

At home this season overall, the Blackhawks are 6-3-0-0. Washington is 4-5-1-0 on the road.

Defenseman Brendan Witt (sprained shoulder) is out for this weekend's games. He underwent an MRI exam, which revealed no breaks or tears and General Manager George McPhee said he could return next week.

UP NEXT

Washington faces the Minnesota Wild on the road on Saturday before a two-game homestand begins on Tuesday against San Jose.