Colorado secures ninth consecutive postseason berth with comeback victory on Ovechkin's milestone night
Category: Sports
On March 22, 2026, the Colorado Avalanche faced off against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena, marking a key moment for both teams. The Avalanche, leading the NHL with a record of 45-13-10, sought to maintain their dominance and secure their playoff position against a Capitals squad struggling to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The game kicked off at 12:30 p.m. ET, with the Avalanche coming into the matchup fresh off a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. This win ended a three-game losing streak and solidified their spot at the top of the Central Division, boasting 100 points and clinching their ninth consecutive playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Capitals, with a record of 35-27-8, were sitting at 12th place with 78 points, six points away from the final wild card spot.
From the start, the Capitals put up a solid defensive effort, aiming to stifle Colorado's high-octane offense, which leads the league with an average of 3.69 goals per game. The first period saw a tense atmosphere, with Washington's Justin Sourdif scoring the first goal at 11:53, giving the Capitals a 1-0 lead. This goal came after a series of missed opportunities for both teams, with neither able to capitalize on early power plays.
"We knew we had to play tight against a team like Colorado," said Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette. "Our defense held strong, but we needed to finish chances when they came."
Throughout the first two periods, the Capitals maintained their lead, even with a few close calls. Notably, Avalanche forward Gabe Landeskog was slashed by Washington's Ryan Leonard, but no penalty was called. The Avalanche struggled to convert on their power plays, failing to score during two opportunities.
Entering the third period with a 1-0 deficit, the Avalanche's urgency was palpable. They quickly turned the tide when Landeskog found the net, tying the game at 1-1. This goal came after a turnover by Capitals goalie Logan Thompson, who mishandled the puck behind his net, allowing Martin Nečas to assist Landeskog.
Less than four minutes later, Colorado took the lead when Nic Roy scored, making it 2-1. The Avalanche had gone from trailing to leading within a span of just 240 seconds, demonstrating their ability to capitalize on mistakes.
"We knew we had to keep pushing, and it paid off," said Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, who continues to chase the Art Ross scoring title with 114 points this season. "We have a lot of talent and experience, and we trust each other on the ice." MacKinnon is just two points behind Connor McDavid and four behind Nikita Kucherov for the league lead.
With the Avalanche leading 2-1, the Capitals were not ready to give up. They had their chances, particularly with a power play opportunity late when Landeskog was penalized for holding. This time, Alexander Ovechkin stepped up, scoring his 1,000th career goal, a feat that made him only the second player ever to reach that milestone alongside Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin’s goal tied the game at 2-2, igniting the home crowd.
"It’s a special moment for me and my family, and I’m grateful to have achieved this milestone," Ovechkin said. "But it’s bittersweet because we didn’t get the win today. We need to focus on the next game and our playoff push."
With the game tied, both teams fought fiercely for control, but the Avalanche’s depth and experience shone through. The game ended with Colorado securing a 3-2 victory, marking their fourth consecutive road win against the Capitals and completing the season sweep.
The Avalanche’s victory solidified their position atop the Western Conference and increased their lead over the Dallas Stars to five points, with both teams having 13 games remaining. The Capitals, meanwhile, faced a tough reality check, now six points behind the final wild card spot.
"We’re proud of the effort we put forth today, but we need to be more consistent moving forward," Laviolette said. "Every point counts at this stage of the season, and we can’t afford to let opportunities slip away."
Moving forward, the Avalanche will look to build on this momentum, with their sights firmly set on the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Capitals will need to regroup quickly if they hope to stay relevant this season. With only 12 games left, every match is now a must-win for Washington.
Fans can expect an exciting finish to the regular season, with the Avalanche aiming to maintain their top position and the Capitals fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. The next few weeks will be telling for both franchises.