Morning Skate Report: Facing the Defending-Stanley Cup Champions

WASHINGTON--The Colorado Avalanche looks to get back on track tonight as the club begins its final East Coast road trip of the 2018-19 campaign at the Washington Capitals.
The Avs wrapped up their season-long, five-game homestand on Tuesday with a 6-3 loss to the Blue Jackets. Colorado had a 3-2 lead late in the middle period but fell after allowing three goals in the final frame and one at the end of the second.

"There are positives out of that game, for sure. I think first 40 minutes we did a really nice job getting our fourth guy up in the rush. Sometimes leading the attack, sometimes trailing, not just doing that but the decisions we made with the puck after that," said Bednar. "Making sure we are not turning it over high in the zone or getting guys going the other direction… I thought we did a nice job getting to the net, getting to the interior of the ice, we created some really good chances, especially through 40 minutes. Just a couple of those defensive mistakes again, and we got to make sure we are not giving up the home run play.
"This is a team in Washington, they are very poised, they protect the puck real well, but if you make mistakes they will capitalize on them. They have got some shooters and some skill over there, so we are going to have to be real good with the puck tonight."

It is the second of two meetings between the Avs and Caps and Colorado's only visit to the nation's capital this season. Washington won the first matchup, 3-2 in overtime at Pepsi Center on Nov. 16.
After winning the Stanley Cup last year, the Capitals own a 29-18-6 record through 53 contests this campaign but are 2-6-2 in their last 10 outings. Colorado has played 52 games and has a 22-22-8 mark on the season.
"With the way we have been struggling, we need to get a win here and get some confidence back, get a little swagger going," Avs defenseman Tyson Barrie said of his squad. "We have got a good test tonight in Washington, obviously defending Cup champs so that is always a fun one to play and we will be ready for it.
"It is just going to be who can stick to their game plan longer. We are at a point now where we have to outwork the other team to get wins, and that is going to be first and foremost for us tonight."
Colorado finishes the trip with afternoon outings at the New York Islanders on Saturday and the Boston Bruins on Sunday. The matchup in Boston will be the Avs' final contest in the eastern time zone during the regular season.

VARLY IN NET

Goaltender Semyon Varlamov will be between the pipes for the Avs in tonight's contest at Capital One Arena.
Varlamov began his career with Washington after the team selected him 23rd overall in the 2006 draft. He posted a 30-13-12 record and a .917 save percentage in 59 games during his three-year tenure with the Capitals.
The Samara, Russia, native has played in seven outings against his former club and owns a 2.31 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in those matchups.
VIEW: Avalanche at Capitals Projected Lineup

ROSTER MOVES

On Wednesday afternoon, Colorado recalled forward A.J. Greer and defenseman Anton Lindholm from the American Hockey League's Colorado Eagles.
Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed that Greer will be in the lineup against Washington but did not say who the forward will replace in the lineup. Greer has skated in five outings with the Avalanche this season and is second on the Eagles in scoring with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 36 games so far this campaign.
Lindholm has suited up for the Avs in two matchups this year and 34 contests with AHL Colorado where he has seven assists.