WASHINGTON - Alex Ovechkin scored a tiebreaking power-play goal late in the second period to help the Washington Capitals beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Monday night.
Jay Beagle also scored and Braden Holtby stopped 31 shots to earn his 21st victory for the Capitals, who improved to 13-1-4 in the last 18 games. They've also won six straight at home, their longest home win streak in two seasons.
Holtby, who made his 19th straight start and has appeared in 25 consecutive games, had 18 saves in the third period to preserve the win.
Alex Tanguay scored for the Avalanche, and Semyon Varlamov finished with 36 saves. Colorado snapped a three-game winning streak.
Ovechkin snapped a shot past Varlamov from left circle after passes from Troy Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom with 2:14 left in the second period. It was Ovechkin's 74th game-winning goal, moving him past Peter Bondra for first place in franchise history. Ovechkin also now has scored a goal in six of his last seven games.
Washington was on the power play due to a roughing call on Varlamov.
The Capitals came up with many scoring chances but had problems beating former teammate Varlamov.
Beagle gave the Capitals the early lead when scored on a backhand shot 7:34 into the first period. Washington's win improved their mark to 22-1-3 when scoring first.
Colorado tied it on Tanguay's power-play goal with 9:02 left in the second period.
NOTES: The Capitals recalled G Justin Peters from Hershey of the AHL and re-assigned goalie Pheonix Copley there on Monday. Peters hasn't played since Nov. 29, and he played twice with the Bears this weekend. ... D Nate Schmidt also went to Hershey during the weekend for playing time, but he suffered a scapular fracture (shoulder blade) which could sideline him for six to eight weeks. ... Varlamov was named the NHL's second star of the week Monday. He was 3-0-0 with one shutout last week.
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