The Washington Capitals held an optional gameday morning skate at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday morning. They wrap-up their western road trip tonight against the Avalanche before returning home to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Puck drop for tonight is set for 9PM ET.

OPTIONAL MORNING SKATE

Capitals’ captain Alex Ovechkin participated in the team’s optional skate this morning. Ovechkin sat out the last game against the Golden Knights with a lower-body injury. He will be a game-time decision, per Peter Laviolette.

Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin is on the ice for the team’s optional AM skate here in Denver. He practiced yesterday, but missed Saturday’s game in Vegas with a lower-body injury.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 24, 2023

T.J. Oshie remains home in Virginia for the birth of his fourth child, and will not play tonight in Denver.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAY

The Washington Capitals will clash with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche for the final time this season in the Mile High City on Tuesday night. Colorado shut out Washington, who won 12 of the previous 14 against them, by a score of 4-0 in the first on November 19 at Capital One Arena.

No Cale Makar tonight, Jared Bednar confirms. https://t.co/SxkAaCYULk

— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) January 24, 2023

The Capitals have a record of 47-33-9-1 all-time versus the Colorado/Quebec franchise and are 12-3-0 in their last 15 games against the Avalanche. The Capitals have won three-straight games against the Avalanche at Ball Arena, including last season’s meeting in Denver, a 3-2 win for Washington.

Action from Ball Arena can be seen on NBC Sports Washington in-market or ESPN+ out-of-market starting at 9 PM ET. [GAME PREVIEW]

HOMECOMING

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper and forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel return to Denver for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in June. Kuemper posted a record of 37-12-4 with a 2.54 goals-against average and .921 save percentage in 57 games with Colorado in 2021-22, ranking tied for fourth in the NHL in wins and shutouts (5) and fifth in save percentage. Kuemper started 16 of Colorado’s 20 playoff games, going 10-4 with a 2.57 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. [MORE HERE]

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper and forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel return to Denver for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in June. Kuemper posted a record of 37-12-4 with a 2.54 goals-against average and .921 save percentage in 57 games with Colorado in 2021-22, ranking tied for fourth in the NHL in wins and shutouts (5) and fifth in save percentage. Kuemper started 16 of Colorado’s 20 playoff games, going 10-4 with a 2.57 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. [MORE HERE]

STAT OF THE DAY – FACEOFFS

Today’s stat of the day looks at faceoffs. The team has battled hard over the last two months to get their winning percentages up and are very close to reaching the 50% threshold for the first time in more than a season.

Today we look at the individual faceoff stats for each Capitals player that typically take draws. [Click to enlarge].

There are really no surprises at the top of the list. While still below 50%, Dylan Strome and Evgeny Kuznetsov have greatly improved their averages over the last month.

DOWN ON THE FARM

Beck Malenstyn scored his third goal since returning to the Bears on December 28. The tally came on Saturday night against the Belleville Senators and came shorthanded.

“Wreck It” Beck Malenstyn with a shorthanded goal and we are tied! #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/u6ycnPQwRF

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 22, 2023

Jake Karabela scored his 13th goal of the season on Sunday against the Kingston Frontenacs. Karabela has 13g, 13a in 43 games played so far this season. He’s recorded 61 shots for a 21.3% shooting percentage.

JAKERRRR IN THE SLOT #StormCity | @Capitals pic.twitter.com/Xx5DBrKGgD

— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) January 22, 2023

SHAVINGS

• For what it’s worth, the Capitals have just 14 games remaining before the NHL trade deadline on March 3.