Colorado Avalanche v. Washington Capitals
| Goaltender | Team Record | GAA | SV% |
| Darcy Kuemper (COL) | 1-2-0 | 5.26 | .872 |
| Ilya Samsonov (WAS) | 2-0-1 | 3.00 | .889 |
TLDR; Scoring up and down the line up, including two goals from Kuznetsov, one from Jensen and an empty net goal for Ovechkin doom Avalanche to 6-3 loss to the Capitals.
On Tuesday night, the Washington Capitals took on the Colorado Avalanche for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. With Nathan Mackinnon making his season debut, Colorado was poised to pose a challenge for Washington, especially with goaltender Ilya Samsonov also making his debut. Connor McMichael played his first game of the season, and as a result, Hendrix Lapierre sat.
The first period saw goals from Washington and Colorado, as well as a number of penalties. Just six minute and 15 seconds into the first period, Evgeny Kuznetsov scored his first goal of the season to give Washington a 1-0 lead. At the 9:09 mark, Anthony Mantha and Nazem Kadri were assessed matching minors, and play resumed as 4-on-4. At 12:39 of the first, Samuel Girard was called for tripping, but instead of scoring with the man-advantage, Washington gave up a shorthanded goal to JT Compher, which made it 1-1. With just under three minutes left in the first, defensemen Nick Jensen scored perhaps one of his only goals of the season to give the Caps back their lead. But before the expiration of the period, Dmitry Orlov was called for interference. Luckily, Washington killed off the penalty.
Three minutes and 12 seconds into the 2nd period, new acquisition Darren Helm tied the game, 2-2, with his first of the season. The Avs got another opportunity to score on the power play as Conor Sheary was sent to the box for holding at the 6:23 mark. Anthony Mantha tallied his first of the season at the 14:47 mark to earn his second point in three games, making it 3-2. Then, not even two minutes later, Kuznetsov scored his 2nd of the game to extend the Capitals lead to two goals.
Nic Dowd scored just 39 seconds into the third period, making it 5-2, and establishing a comfortable lead for Washington. Tom Wilson would be called for cross checking at the 4:47 mark, and then, Nazem Kadri would go off for the same penalty just about 40 seconds later. However, the score remained. The Caps earned their last power play opportunity at the 12:40 mark when Nathan Mackinnon went off for interference, but Washington would go 0-for-3 with the man-advantage on the night. The Avalanche would score one more goal, courtesy of Mikko Rantanen, before the night was over. The goal came on the Avs power play with Garnet Hathaway in the penalty box. With Colorado’s net empty for the extra attacker, Alex Ovechkin potted his 4th of the season, an empty netter, to seal the Capitals win.
The Avalanche went 1-for-4 on the power play, and Washington won 55.2% of faceoffs on the night. Tom Wilson tallied three assists and a put up a +4 rating, whereas Mikko Rantanen and Nathan Mackinnon were both -5 through 60 minutes of play.
You can also read Michael’s recap of the game from last night by clicking here.
The Washington Capitals will take on the New Jersey Devils in their first road game of the season on Thursday evening, and can be watched on MSG+ and NBC Sports Washington.
