MacKinnon's 3-point performance propels Avalanche past Capitals
Necas contributes 2 assists for Colorado, while Frank scores and assists for Washington, who have lost three consecutive games.
Capitals vs. Avalanche | Recap
By Ryan Boulding
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
January 20, 2026
DENVER -- Nathan MacKinnon's exceptional skills shone through as he recorded two goals and an assist, surpassing 1,100 NHL points, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals at Ball Arena on Monday.
MacKinnon's achievement was a testament to his consistent excellence, as he emphasized his desire to perform well and contribute to the team's success.
Victor Olofsson, Parker Kelly, and Artturi Lehkonen also found the back of the net for the Avalanche, who had been on a losing streak, losing two consecutive games. Martin Necas contributed two assists, and Scott Wedgewood made 22 saves, showcasing the team's resilience and determination.
Colorado's coach, Jared Bednar, praised the team's effort and commitment, highlighting their ability to maintain focus and intensity throughout the game.
On the other hand, the Capitals faced a challenging night, with Ethan Frank scoring and assisting, Jakob Chychrun finding the net, and Charlie Lindgren making 39 saves. Despite their efforts, Washington lost their third straight game, falling to 2-5-0 in their last seven games.
The Capitals' coach, Spencer Carbery, acknowledged the team's struggles, attributing their losses to mental mistakes and a lack of offensive push. He emphasized the need for improvement and a stronger performance in the upcoming games.
The Avalanche took an early lead with Parker Kelly's goal at 5:54 in the first period, redirecting Cale Makar's point shot past Lindgren's left pad. The Capitals responded with Jakob Chychrun's power-play goal at 7:27, showcasing their ability to adapt and score under pressure.
Nathan MacKinnon's power-play goal in the second period put the Avalanche back in the lead, demonstrating his skill and precision. Victor Olofsson extended their lead to 3-1, followed by Ethan Frank's goal, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
In the third period, Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon sealed the Avalanche's victory, with Lehkonen's goal and MacKinnon's final assist, showcasing their teamwork and ability to capitalize on opportunities.
MacKinnon's milestone achievement and the Avalanche's victory highlighted the team's depth and talent, while the Capitals' struggles underscored the importance of consistency and mental fortitude in the NHL.
NOTES: Nathan MacKinnon became the 10th active player to reach 1,100 points and the second player in Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques history to achieve this feat. He also surpassed Peter Stastny for the second most multipoint games in Avalanche/Nordiques history.
Alex Ovechkin's 1,665 points moved him closer to Wayne Gretzky's record, emphasizing the competitive nature of the NHL.
Additionally, Alex Barre-Boulet made his Avalanche debut, contributing an assist in 3:46 of ice time, adding to the team's depth and versatility.
