Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The win raised the Capitals’ record to 51-17-8 (110 points). The Capitals next travel to Arizona to face the Coyotes on Friday night. Puck drop is 10:00 p.m. 

Philipp Grubauer got the start in goal for the Caps. This was his first start since March 11th.

Taylor Chorney, Nate Schmidt and Paul Carey were the healthy scratches for the Capitals.

This was the second game of a back-to-back set for the Capitals, having played in Minnesota last night. This was also the second game of a season-long, five-game road trip.

QUICK NOTES:

• The Capitals stretch their winning streak to six games.
• The Capitals power play has at least one goal in 8 of the last 10 games.
• Marcus Johansson has five assists in the last two games.
• Capitals power play is 9-for-19 over the course of the 6-game win streak. The penalty kill is 15-for-16.

FIRST PERIOD:
The Capitals opened the scoring with a power play goal by John Carlson at the 4:00 mark of the opening frame.

Carly comes correct! #CapsAvs#RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/eByXDZOxHR

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2017

The Avalanche tied the game on a goal by Mikko Rantenen at 11:11 of the first period.

The Capitals would quickly take back the lead with a deflected goal by Jay Beagle at 11:48 of the first period, giving the Caps a 2-1 lead. The goal was set up with a blast from the point by Kevin Shattenkirk, giving him his 10th assist as a Capital.

Beags tips it home! #CapsAvs #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/9rRlc2Xbix

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2017

The first period would end with the Caps leading 2-1. Colorado led in shots on goal 14-12 for the first 20 minutes.

SECOND PERIOD:
The Capitals would stretch their lead to 3-1 on a power play goal by Marcus Johansson at 4:57 of the middle frame.

JoJo is having quite the game, wouldn’t you say? #CapsAvs #RocKTheRed pic.twitter.com/ySba2SP9d2

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2017

Evgeny Kuznetsov would stretch the Capitals’ lead to 4-1 at the 11:03 mark of the middle frame.

Kuzy’s finish is great, but this pass from Jojo… #CapsAvs #RocKTheRed pic.twitter.com/rEglCuIc1F

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2017

The Avs would answer with a goal by Matt Nieto at 13:50 of the middle frame, closing the gap to 4-2.

The period would end with the Capitals leading 4-2. The Capitals outshot the Avs 16-6 for the middle frame, and led 29-20 through two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD:
Colorado would cut the Capitals’ lead to one with a dazzling highlight reel goal by Nathan MacKinnon at 4:29 of the final frame.

The Capitals tired late in the third period, as most of the game action took place in the Capitals zone. However, Lars Eller would add an empty net goal at 18:38 to finally secure the victory for the Capitals.

By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps

SCENES FROM DENVER:

Colorado #Caps fans out in full force tonight! #CapsAvs #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/7ku1gRTmcb

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2017

Back to your seats, Happy Colorado Caps Fans! Work to be done. 4-2, #Caps lead heading into the 3rd on @CSNMA. #CapsAvs #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/OQjbN451rD

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2017

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