The Colorado Avalanche closed out their five-game road trip out east with a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. Avalanche center Paul Stastny led the offense with his 12th goal of the season and two assists (16).
Avalanche rookie defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk continued his impressive rookie season by netting his fifth goal of the season at the 2:14 mark in the first period. He would assist on Stastny’s power play goal in the second period.
The Washington Capitals’ Mike Knuble scored the 250th goal of his career when he put one past Craig Anderson at 9:45 in the first period. Avalanche defender Ryan Wilson answered back with a goal, his first of the season, at 18:39 in the first to put the Avalanche up 2-1.
Former Avalanche and current Capitals center Matt Hendricks made it a one-goal game in the third period with a power play goal.
Craig Anderson stopped 40-of-42 shots against him, while Michal Neuvirth stopped 23-of-26 shots.
The Avalanche (15-10-4, 34 points) are on a two-game win streak and moved into first place in the Northwest division over the Vancouver Canucks (33 points). They return home to the Pepsi Center to host the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m. MT.