DENVER (AFP) – Arturi Likonen, Andrew Cogliano and Alex Newhawk scored towards former teammate Darcy Kuemper and stopped a rookie Colorado Avalanche over the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Tuesday evening 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 essentially 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 mentioned. “We did not play our greatest sport tonight, so I am completely satisfied we managed to get the 2 factors.”
Alex Ovechkin returned from harm to attain his thirty first purpose 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 gang 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 take care of The Capitals in July.
“It was very troublesome,” a choked Comber mentioned of the tribute. “There have been plenty of combined emotions. It was very particular to be again.”
He had his moments towards his former staff, together with a neat glove save towards Jacob McDonald and Lekkonen within the second interval to maintain the sport by one purpose. However a Newhawk purpose 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,” mentioned Georgiev.
Ovechkin’s one-time rating at 9:44 of the third was his 811th purpose after lacking his first sport of the season Saturday because of a lower-body harm.
“I do not need to say I used to be 100%, however I used to be in a position to play,” mentioned Ovechkin.
Washington was with out TJ Oshie, who left to be along with his spouse for the delivery of their fourth baby. 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.
“For the time being, he has an harm in his decrease physique,” mentioned coach Peter Laviolette.
The Avalanche, who hadn’t trailed through the profitable streak, completed Kuemper at 8:57 of the primary when McKinnon absorbed Dmitri Orlov’s huge hit and edged Lykonen to attain his fifteenth purpose 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 purpose 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 mentioned 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 Jap Time Zone.
subsequent one
Capitals: Host Pittsburgh Thursday evening.
Avalanche: Host Anaheim Thursday evening.
___
AP NHL: www.apnews.com/hub/NHL And www.twitter.com/AP_Sports