The Colorado Avalanche (9-5-1) travel to take on the Washington Capitals (7-9-3), who will be hoping to snap their losing streak, at Capital One Arena on Saturday. Colorado is coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the Hurricanes on Thursday.
The Avalanche committed five penalties in the game, though they held Carolina without a power play goal. Artturi Lehkonen, Evan Rodrigues, and Alex Newhook each scored once for the Avalanche. Pavel Francouz saved an impressive 46 of 48 shots (.958%) in the win.
Washington is playing the first of four games at home after a 5-4 shootout loss against the Blues on Thursday, their third straight defeat. John Carlson scored twice in regulation to lead the Capitals. Alex Ovechkin had a goal and two assists to lead the team in scoring. Charlie Lindgren saved only 20 of 24 shots against (.833%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Capitals won both games between the teams last season, including a 3-2 victory in their final meeting in April, their third straight win against Colorado. Garnet Hathaway, Marcus Johansson, and Ovechkin were on the scoresheet for Washington. Valeri Nichushkin and Lehkonen were on the scoresheet for Colorado. Ilya Samsonov got the win, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923%).
FACING OFF
Colorado is averaging 3.53 goals per game for the season, sixth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Capitals team that is allowing 3.21 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, Washington has found the net 2.89 times a game on average, 22nd in the league, and the Avalanche are holding opponents to 2.67 goals per game (5th).
The Avalanche’s 36.73% power play percentage is the best in the league, while the Capitals rank 24th with a conversion rate of 19.44%. While efficient on the power play, Colorado has been less successful at penalty killing, as the away team owns the league’s fifth-lowest PK% at 73.08%. Washington’s 78.95% ranks 16th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Mikko Rantanen (25 points), Nathan MacKinnon (24), and Cale Makar (18) have been the top skaters this season for the Avalanche. Rantanen and MacKinnon are the third- and seventh-leading point scorers in the NHL. Rantanen is among the league leaders with his 11 goals (5th), while MacKinnon leads the league with 20 assists.
Makar has been another offensive leader for Colorado, scoring three and assisting 15 (0th). In the net, Alexandar Georgiev (7-2-1) is Colorado’s top goaltender. He has a 2.70 GAA and a .924% save percentage. Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 17 points. He has nine goals and eight assists in 19 games.
Darcy Kuemper (5-8-1) is the top goalie for Washington with a goals against average of 2.73. He has a save percentage of .911%.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 5-3-0 away from home this season. Washington is 5-3-1 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Over 6 Goals (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
