Washington Capitals center Nic Dowd (26) fights for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche center Ivan Ivan (82) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael, left, pursues the puck with Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, right, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael, left, sweeps past Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, right, to score in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren, right, makes a stick-save of a shot by Colorado Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goalie Trent Miner (50) comes in to replace goaltender Justus Annunen (60) after Annunen was pulled in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary, left, congratulates center Connor McMichael after McMichael scored against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael, center, is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary, left, fights for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly, right, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas struggles to collect the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Back after a six-month suspension from the league, Colorado Avalanche right wing Valleri Nichushkin pursues the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller, left, loses control of the puck while driving past Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)