Avalanche take on the Capitals following Rantanen’s hat trick

Washington Capitals (10-4-1, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (9-8, in the Central Division)

Denver; Friday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche host the Washington Capitals after Mikko Rantanen recorded a hat trick in the Avalanche’s 4-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings.

Colorado has a 6-5-0 record at home and a 9-8 record overall. The Avalanche have a 4-1-0 record in one-goal games.

Washington is 10-4-1 overall and 3-2-0 in road games. The Capitals are 3-0-1 in games decided by a goal.

Friday’s game is the first time these teams square off this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Nathan MacKinnon has seven goals and 26 assists for the Avalanche. Sam Malinski has scored goals over the last 10 games.

Alexander Ovechkin has scored 10 goals with nine assists for the Capitals. Hendrix Lapierre has over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 6-4-0, averaging 3.5 goals, six assists, 2.8 penalties and seven penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.

Capitals: 6-3-1, averaging 4.2 goals, 7.5 assists, 3.7 penalties and 8.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.

INJURIES: Avalanche: None listed.

Capitals: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.