Nathan MacKinnon leads Colorado to victory with key plays, including a comeback from a 1-0 deficit.
Category: Sports
On March 22, 2026, the Colorado Avalanche secured their ninth consecutive playoff berth with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. The win solidified Colorado's position at the top of the Western Conference, and marked them the first NHL team this season to reach the 100-point milestone.
The Avalanche entered the game with a record of 45 wins, 13 losses, and 10 overtime losses, holding a three-point lead over the Dallas Stars with 13 games remaining. The Capitals, on the other hand, were struggling to stay relevant, sitting 12th with a record of 35 wins, 27 losses, and 8 overtime losses, six points out of the final wild card spot.
Fans tuned into the game at 12:30 p.m. ET, eager to see if the Avalanche could maintain their dominance over Washington after previously defeating them 5-2 earlier this season. Nathan MacKinnon, who has been a standout player for Colorado, entered the game with 114 points, trailing only Edmonton's Connor McDavid (116) and Tampa's Nikita Kucherov (118) for the league's scoring title.
The game started with a flurry of action. Washington's Ryan Leonard was involved early, slashing Gabe Landeskog, but no penalty was called. The Capitals drew first blood when rookie Justin Sourdif scored at 11:53 of the first period, making it 1-0. This goal came after a series of penalties that saw both teams struggle to capitalize on power plays, with the Avalanche failing to convert on a chance after Cole Hutson was penalized for holding MacKinnon.
Throughout the first two periods, the Capitals' defense held strong, and they maintained a 1-0 lead heading into the third. Both teams recorded 14 shots on goal by the end of the second period, but it was clear that the Avalanche needed to step up their game to avoid a disappointing loss.
That urgency came to fruition early into the third period. Colorado's fortunes changed dramatically when Logan Thompson, the Capitals' goaltender, mishandled the puck behind the net, allowing Martin Nečas to recover it and find Landeskog wide open. Landeskog quickly fired the puck into the empty net, tying the game at 1-1.
Just four minutes later, Nic Roy forced a turnover and fired a wrist shot past Thompson, giving the Avalanche a 2-1 lead. The momentum had shifted entirely, and the Capitals found themselves on the defensive.
With the Avalanche leading, the Capitals were desperate to regain control. They had their chance when Landeskog was penalized for holding, giving Washington their fifth power play opportunity of the night. Alexander Ovechkin, who had been relatively quiet during the game, seized the moment and blasted a shot past Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, tying the game at 2-2. This goal was particularly historic, marking the 1,000th of Ovechkin's career, making him only the second player ever to reach that milestone alongside Wayne Gretzky.
With the score tied and time winding down, both teams fought fiercely for the win. The Avalanche's power play struggled throughout the game, with their penalty kill units performing admirably. Colorado managed to kill off all five of Washington's power plays, a key factor that kept them competitive throughout.
Eventually, it was the Avalanche's resilience that shone through. With just a few minutes left, they capitalized on another opportunity, with Gabriel Landeskog and Nic Roy both contributing to the scoring. The final score settled at 3-2, marking a successful road trip for Colorado.
Post-game, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar expressed pride over his team's performance, particularly emphasizing their ability to rally after falling behind. “There’s ebbs and flows to the season, but we’ve put ourselves into a good spot here,” Bednar said. “Making the playoffs is the first step to getting to where you want to go, so we’re pretty happy about that.”
Meanwhile, the Capitals faced a grim reality, sitting six points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild card position. Their recent trades, including the departure of cornerstone defenseman John Carlson, have left them struggling to find their footing. Washington has won three of their last four games, but their playoff hopes are dwindling with only 12 games remaining.
Logan Thompson's performance was examined after the game, particularly for his mishandling of the puck that led to Colorado's first goal. Nevertheless, he made key saves throughout the game, and his teammates acknowledged the need to improve their own performance moving forward.
With the season winding down, the Avalanche look to maintain their lead and secure home-ice advantage for the playoffs, aiming to build on their recent successes. The Capitals, conversely, are left to regroup and strategize for the remaining games, hoping to spark a turnaround that could salvage their season.
Today's game showcased the intensity and unpredictability of NHL hockey, with both teams exhibiting the high stakes that come with late-season matchups. Fans can expect both teams to continue fighting for their respective goals, whether it’s the Avalanche striving for the top or the Capitals attempting to claw back into playoff contention.