Washington dominates Avs, 6-1

The Washington Capitals came into Tuesday night’s game at the Pepsi Center with the best record in the NHL, and they showed an announced crowd of 14,172 exactly how they achieved their lofty standing. Despite the Avs’ “holding” two-time NHL MVP Alexander Ovechkin to one assist, the Caps blew the doors off the Avalanche in an easy 6-1 victory.

Washington dominated the game from the opening faceoff. Tomas Fleischmann scored the first of his two goals 1:56 into the first period, and the rout was on. The Caps got another first period goal from Mike Knuble, second period markers from David Steckel, Fleischmann and Matt Bradley and a third period goal from Nicklas Backstrom. The Caps’ Kyle Wilson got two assists in his NHL debut.

Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson, in his second game back from a neck injury, allowed 5 goals on 21 shots through the first two periods. To be fair, he didn’t have much help. “Andy” was replaced by Peter Budaj to start the third period. Budaj let in one goal on four shots.

Colorado’s lone tally came at 11:21 of the third period, when T.J. Galiardi beat Caps goalie Jose Theodore to end his bid for a shutout. Ex-Av Theodore made 27 saves in his first game back in Denver since leaving for free agency following the 2007-08 season.

There was one sour note for the Capitals. Mike Green, who leads all NHL defensemen in scoring, was hit from behind into the end boards during the second period by Avalanche “enforcer” David Koci. Green’s face was slammed into the glass. He had to be helped off the ice and required stitches. Koci, who was given a five-minute major boarding penalty and a game misconduct, faces likely disciplinary action from the NHL office.

NOTES

• The Avalanche are 2-2 on the current five-game home stand. They close it out Saturday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
• The Avalanche held a pre-game ceremony to welcome ex-Av Mike Keane into the Avalanche Alumni Association. Unlike this season’s other honorees, Keane is still an active player, skating for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
• Due to the NHL’s imbalanced schedule, this was the first Caps game in Denver since October 2006.
• With the Calgary Flames’ loss to St. Louis, the Avs remain in first place in the Northwest Division.

Bruce Wilkie a Colorado semi-native, having moved to Denver in 1971. He has worked with pro and college hockey teams since 1975 and now covers the Avs for thehockeywriters.com.