Avalanche vs Capitals: Ovechkin’s Absence Tips the Scales in NHL Showdown

The Colorado Avalanche and the Washington Capitals are set to face off in an intriguing NHL matchup on Thursday, November 21, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. This game comes with significant implications, particularly given the absence of Washington’s star captain, Alexander Ovechkin, due to an injury.

The Washington Capitals, currently leading the Metropolitan division with a 13-4-1 record, have been one of the standout teams in the early part of the 2024-25 NHL season. However, the loss of Ovechkin, who has scored 15 goals in the first 18 games, is a significant blow. Ovechkin’s absence could disrupt the Capitals’ potent offense, which has been averaging 4.3 goals per game, the highest in the NHL.

The Colorado Avalanche, with a 10-9 record, are looking to capitalize on this opportunity. They have won four of their last five games, with their only loss in that span coming against the Capitals. Key players like Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar have been in top form, combining for 23 points over their last five games. Rantanen, in particular, has scored six goals in his last five games and is expected to be a key figure in this matchup.

Despite the Capitals’ strong defensive record, allowing just 2.8 goals per game, they face a challenging task without Ovechkin. Logan Thompson, the Capitals’ goalie, has been impressive with an 8-0-1 record, a 2.63 GAA, and a .913 save percentage, but he will need to be at his best to counter the Avalanche’s offense.

The Avalanche, however, have their own set of challenges, particularly on the defensive side. They have a goals against average of 3.8, which is one of the worst in the league. Injuries to players like Ross Colton, Tucker Poolman, and Alexandar Georgiev further complicate their defensive situation.

Betting trends and predictions are split, but many analysts favor the Avalanche to win due to the Capitals’ injury woes and the Avalanche’s recent form. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals, with some predicting a high-scoring affair given the offensive capabilities of both teams.