It took two goals from unlikely sources, but the Colorado Avalanche (15-17-1, 31 pts) bested the Washington Capitals (16-14-1, 33 pts) with a score of 2-1.
Out-shooting the Caps 28 shots to 26 shots, the Avalanche grabbed at 1-0 lead in the first period when Cody McLeod fired his first goal of the season just 2:49 into the first period. The goal marked McLeod's first of the season and proved key to Colorado's success when Alexander Semin midway through the second period, tying the game at 1-1.
The Avalanche regained the lead when defenseman Erik Johnson added his first goal of the season, lifting the Avalanche to their final 2-1 lead. In the third period, the Colorado defense held strong, even killing a late power play in the final 14 seconds.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, filling in for former Caps goalie Semyon Varlamov, collected 25 saves and a .962 save percentage in the win.
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Capitals blog Japer's Rink.