Nathan MacKinnon gets Avalanche back on track in win over Caps

Field Level Media|published: Mon 19th January, 19:16 2026

NHL: Washington Capitals at Colorado Avalanche

Jan 19, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck in the second period against the Washington Capitals at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Nathan MacKinnon had two goals and an assist to reach 1,100 career points, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Washington Capitals 5-2 in Denver on Monday.

MacKinnon leads the NHL with 38 goals and is tied with Oilers star Connor McDavid for the scoring lead with 85 points.

Victor Olofsson had a goal and an assist, Parker Kelly and Artturi Lehkonen also scored, Martin Necas contributed two assists and Scott Wedgewood turned away 22 shots for Colorado, which snapped a two-game skid.

Valeri Nichushkin was a late scratch for the Avalanche.

Ethen Frank had a goal and an assist, Jakob Chychrun also scored and Charlie Lindgren made 39 saves for Washington, which opened its season-long six-game road trip with a loss.

Colorado went ahead 1-0 when Kelly tipped Cale Makar's shot past Lindgren at 5:54 of the first period. The Capitals tied it on their second power play 1:33 later when Chychrun's shot from the blueline beat Wedgewood.

It was Chychrun's 18th goal of the season, tying Zach Werenski of Columbus for the lead among defensemen.

Chychrun was given a four-minute penalty for high-sticking early in the second period, and the Avalanche cashed in on the back end of the double minor. MacKinnon stickhandled between three Washington players before wristing a shot under Lindgren's right arm at 7:03.

Colorado went ahead 3-1 later in the second when Olofsson cleaned up a rebound at 15:58. The Capitals responded just 17 seconds later when Alex Ovechkin stole the puck behind the net and fed it in front to Frank, who slid a backhander by Wedgewood.

The Avalanche had a brief 5-on-3 early in the third period but Brock Nelson's hooking penalty 27 seconds later turned it into a 4-on-3. He nearly atoned for his penalty when he got behind the Washington defense but Lindgren made a save to keep it a one-goal game.

Colorado appeared to take a 4-2 lead on a Makar goal at 11:05, but the Capitals successfully challenged for goaltender interference. Then Lehkonen scored at 12:32 to give the Avalanche a cushion.

MacKinnon sealed it with his second goal at 16:30.

--Field Level Media

151624

Latest