DENVER (AFP) – Arturi Likonen, Andrew Cogliano and Alex Newhawk scored in opposition to former teammate Darcy Kuemper and stopped a rookie Colorado Avalanche over the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Tuesday night time to present coach Jared Bednar his 266th victory.
Logan O’Connor added two assists, Nathan McKinnon an help for his 700th level, whereas Alexander Georgiev made 37 saves for a season-best sixth straight victory for the Avs. They moved into third place within the Central Division, one level forward of Minnesota.
Bednar, who coached his five hundredth sport with Colorado, improved to 266-185-49 and handed former Quebec Nordiques coach Michel Bergeron for probably the most teaching wins in franchise historical past.
“I am glad I am right here and gone so we are able to cease speaking about it,” Bednar stated. “We did not play our greatest sport tonight, so I am glad we managed to get the 2 factors.”
Alex Ovechkin returned from harm to attain his thirty first objective for Washington. Connor Cherry additionally scored and Comber stopped 23 pictures in his first sport in Denver since serving to the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in June.
The group stood and applauded after a first-half video of Quimper, who gained 37 common season video games and ten extra within the playoffs.
Avs selected to not re-sign Kuemper, who then signed a five-year cope with The Capitals in July.
“It was very tough,” a choked Comber stated of the tribute. “There have been plenty of combined emotions. It was very particular to be again.”
He had his moments in opposition to his former group, together with a neat glove save in opposition to Jacob McDonald and Lekkonen within the second interval to maintain the sport by one objective. However a Newhawk objective with 4:21 left within the second made it 3-1.
The looted Capitals dominated the third interval however misplaced for the fifth time in seven video games as Georgiev made a number of saves.
“It was a extremely good stretch of protection for us,” stated Georgiev.
Ovechkin’s one-time rating at 9:44 of the third was his 811th objective after lacking his first sport of the season Saturday because of a lower-body harm.
“I do not wish to say I used to be 100%, however I used to be capable of play,” stated Ovechkin.
Washington was with out TJ Oshie, who left to be together with his spouse for the start of their fourth youngster. And Niklas Backström was a late scratcher with a non-COVID sickness.
Then Tom Wilson got here out within the second interval after blocking a shot and was x-rayed between durations.
“In the mean time, he has an harm in his decrease physique,” stated coach Peter Laviolette.
The Avalanche, who hadn’t trailed throughout the profitable streak, completed Kuemper at 8:57 of the primary when McKinnon absorbed Dmitri Orlov’s massive hit and edged Lykonen to attain his fifteenth objective and sixth in six video games.
Cogliano redirected a Curtis McDiarmid shot 2:04 into the second to make it 2-0. Cherry lower the deficit in half when he headed in Martin Fairfare’s shot for his twelfth objective simply over two minutes later.
He broke the cup
It additionally noticed the return of Washington’s Nicholas Op-Coppel, who had 22 factors in 67 video games for the Avs in 2021-22, and be remembered for dropping the trophy whereas celebrating on the ice.
“It is a part of my journey right here,” Aube-Kubel stated with a smile of emotion, including that the season was “one of the best time of my life.”
Notes: Avs D Cale Makar (higher physique) skilled on Monday and took part within the morning ski, however missed his fourth consecutive sport. … Ephesus W. Anton Blidh concessions and skated to the fourth line. … Aliaksei Protas centered on Washington’s third line in his first NHL motion since January 5 and Georgiev stole it within the first interval. … The Capitals have solely 4 video games left exterior the Japanese Time Zone.
subsequent one
Capitals: Host Pittsburgh Thursday night time.
Avalanche: Host Anaheim Thursday night time.
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