Too many penalties, too many tip-ins and poor open-ice defense doomed the Colorado Avalanche tonight against a deep and talented Washington Capitals squad.
Like too many Avalanche games this season, tonight’s action began with an early penalty by a veteran player, this time by Francois Beauchemin—an interference penalty on Brett Connolly away from the play. This error was especially egregious because it gave Alexander Ovechkin and Washington’s third-ranked power an opportunity Colorado couldn’t afford. Ovi wouldn’t score and the Capitals would hardly get set-up in the offensive zone, but they would capitalize (ahem) on a failed Nathan MacKinnon shorthanded attempt that quickly shifted back in Colorado’s direction as a three-on-one.