The Washington Capitals knew they were in for a test when they opened their six-game road trip in Denver on Monday afternoon. And the Colorado Avalanche, even without a few key names in the lineup, reminded everyone why they’re in the NHL’s upper echelon this season. With a 5-2 win at Ball Arena, the Avs flexed the kind of speed, structure, and star power that separates contenders from the rest of the pack.
To their credit, the Caps hung in for most of the game. They never led, but they were just a bounce or a break away from pulling even on multiple occasions.
Head coach Spencer Carbery summed it up well postgame: “I thought we were right there,” he said. “Hanging in against the best team in the NHL.
We just didn’t do enough to make that final push.”
Avalanche Strike First, Caps Respond
Colorado wasted no time getting on the board. Just under six minutes into the first period, Parker Kelly got a piece of a Cale Makar point shot, redirecting it past Charlie Lindgren to give the Avs a 1-0 lead. That’s the kind of play that’s become a Colorado staple-smart puck movement from the blue line and traffic in front.
But Washington responded quickly. On their second power play of the afternoon, the Caps showed a flash of cohesion that’s been inconsistent this year.
Ryan Leonard carried the puck in with purpose, dished it off to Ethen Frank, and the puck eventually found Jakob Chychrun at the center point. Chychrun let a low wrister fly through a screen, tying the game at 1-1 just past the seven-minute mark.
Frank liked what he saw from the unit. “Just playing with a little more pace,” he said.
“We were connected and knew where each other were going to be. Didn’t have a problem holding onto pucks and looking for plays.”
Washington had a third power play opportunity late in the first but couldn’t capitalize. Against a penalty kill as aggressive and disciplined as Colorado’s, those missed chances matter.
Momentum Swings in the Second
The game shifted early in the second when Chychrun took a double-minor for high-sticking Ross Colton. The Caps killed off the first half of the penalty, but Nathan MacKinnon made them pay shortly after. In classic MacKinnon fashion, he entered the zone with speed and snapped a shot from the right circle that beat Lindgren clean to make it 2-1.
Later in the period, Colorado extended their lead to 3-1. Off a faceoff win in the offensive zone, Josh Manson fired a shot that produced a rebound, and Victor Olofsson was right there to bury it. Lindgren nearly made the save, but the puck trickled in.
Washington didn’t fold. Just 17 seconds later, Alex Ovechkin-still as crafty as ever below the goal line-found Frank in the slot, and the rookie ripped it past Scott Wedgewood to bring the Caps back within one.
Third Period: Avalanche Close the Door
The third period saw the Caps battling adversity. Chychrun was sent off again for delay of game, and then Anthony Beauvillier was called for a questionable hooking penalty, giving Colorado a lengthy 5-on-3. But Washington’s penalty kill held firm, and a drawn penalty of their own helped neutralize the threat.
Midway through the frame, Martin Necas forced a turnover that led to a prime Ovechkin one-timer-arguably Washington’s best chance to tie the game-but Wedgewood came up big.
Moments later, Makar appeared to make it 4-2, but Carbery challenged for goaltender interference. The officials agreed, and the goal was wiped off the board. The Caps were still alive.
But not for long.
Before Washington could generate much offensively, Artturi Lehkonen struck in transition at 12:32, pushing the Avs’ lead to 4-2. Then, with just over three minutes left, MacKinnon sealed it with his second of the afternoon and 38th of the season.
“They’re a good team; they play super fast,” said Dylan Strome postgame. “I thought we held our own, but we gave them too many chances. We probably needed a few more on the power play.”
Lindgren Deserved Better
Charlie Lindgren did everything he could to keep the Caps in it. He turned aside multiple high-danger chances and battled through traffic all afternoon. The final score doesn’t reflect his effort.
“I thought he was excellent,” Carbery said. “Nothing on Chuck. I feel bad that he’s got to look at his stat line like it was, but anybody that watched this game knows he was outstanding.”
Takeaways
This game was a measuring stick, and while the Caps didn’t come away with points, they showed they can skate with the league’s elite-for stretches. But against a team like Colorado, stretches aren’t enough. The Avs play with pace, precision, and poise, and they make you pay for every mistake.
For Washington, the challenge now is turning those flashes of competitiveness into a full 60-minute effort. Because against teams like Colorado, anything less just won’t cut it.