Game Preview: Avalanche vs. Capitals

COLORADO AVALANCHE (25-17-3) VS WASHINGTON CAPITALS (25-18-6)
7 PM MT | BALL ARENAWATCH:ALTITUDELISTEN: 92.5FM/950 AM
The Colorado Avalanche are seeking to extend their winning streak five games as they face off against the Washington Capitals Tuesday night.

The Avalanche blanked the Capitals in the teams' first meeting in the nation's capital 4-0 back in November. Centers Andrew Cogliano and Nathan MacKinnon, defenseman Cale Makar and forward Artturi Lehkonen all scored for the Avs, while goaltender Alexandar Georgiev recorded the shutout (32 saves).

LAST TIME OUT

Colorado defeated the Seattle Kraken 2-1 in shootout Saturday night. Center Alex Newhook scored the team's lone goal in regulation before center Nathan MacKinnon went five-hole for the game-winner in the shootout period. Goalie Pavel Francouz turned away 26 of the 27 shots that came his way and denied all chances he faced in the shootout.
Washington fell to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night 6-2. Forwards Marcus Johansson and T.J. Oshie scored for the Capitals. Former Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 14 of 18 saves before being relieved by Charlie Lindgren, who stopped seven of the nine shots he saw.

HISTORY

The Avs own an all-time record of 34-45-11 against the Caps and have fared slightly better since the franchise relocated to Denver (14-19-4).

SCOUTING THE CAPITALS

Forward Alex Ovechkin paces the team in both points (52) and goals (30). Center Evgeny Kuznetsov is second on the team in points with 40.

LINEUP UPDATES

Avalanche
Bowen ByramLower body
Darren HelmLower body
Gabriel Landeskog Lower body
Cale MakarUpper body
Denis MalginUpper body
Josh MansonLower body
Capitals
Connor BrownLower body
John CarlsonUpper body
Nic DowdLower body
Carl HagelinLower body
T.J. OshiePersonal
Alex OvechkinUnknown

DOING THE MOST

Center Nathan MacKinnon is the team's active leader in points against the Capitals, with 20 (7g/13a) in 16 contests. Forward Gabriel Landeskog is second with 16 (5g/11a) in 15 games played.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

Center Evgeny Kuznetsov is Washington's active leader in career points against the Avalanche, with 20 (7g/13a) in 13 appearances. Forward Alex Ovechkin is second with 18 (10g/8a) in 23 outings.

STATS FOR KEEPS

Name | GP | GS | Record (W-L-OT) | GAA
Colorado
Pavel Francouz | 12 | 12 | 6-6-0 | 2.61
Alexandar Georgiev | 31 | 31 | 17-11-3 | 2.69
Washington
Darcy Kuemper | 31 | 31 | 14-12-4 | 2.55
Charlie Lindgren | 21 | 18 | 11-6-0 | 2.66

NUMBERS GAME

265

Saturday night's victory over the Kraken was head coach Jared Mednar's 265th, which matches the franchise record for wins by a head coach, set by Michel Bergeron with the Quebec Nordiques.

13

Nathan MacKinnon notched his 13th career shootout goal on Saturday, passing Marek Svatos (12) for the fourth most in franchise history behind Milan Hejduk (25), Matt Duchene (18) and Wojtek Wolski (18).

4-0

Pavel Francouz is now 4-0 all-time in shootouts in his career.

200

Kurtis MacDermid played in his 200th NHL game Saturday evening.

QUOTES THAT LEFT A MARK

"To me it looked like a playoff game. Both teams played tight defense, not many chances, both teams played very well. Great hockey game, we had fun and we were happy to snatch two points." - Goalie Pavel Francouz on the team's win
"Winning only gives confidence and we've been winning lately." - Forward Mikko Rantanen on the team's play as of late