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The Colorado Avalanche rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Washington Capitals 3-2 in overtime on Sunday, clinching a playoff spot in the process. Brock Nelson scored the game-winning goal at 1:22 of overtime, while Gabriel Landeskog and Nicolas Roy also found the back of the net for Colorado. The win was the Avalanche’s second straight after a recent slump, and they are the first team to secure a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Why it matters
The Avalanche’s playoff clinching is an important milestone, as they look to defend their 2021-22 Stanley Cup championship. Meanwhile, the loss is a setback for the Capitals, who are on the outside of the Eastern Conference wild-card race and are trying to extend their postseason streak.
The details
Brock Nelson scored the game-winning goal for the Avalanche after Martin Necas set him up for a slap shot past Washington goaltender Logan Thompson. Gabriel Landeskog and Nicolas Roy also scored for Colorado, while Alex Ovechkin and Justin Sourdif tallied for the Capitals. Sourdif opened the scoring in the first period, but Landeskog tied it early in the third. Roy then gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead, before Ovechkin knotted the game at 2-2 with a power-play goal.
The game was played on Sunday, March 23, 2026.Sourdif scored to put the Capitals up 1-0 at 11:53 of the first period.Landeskog tied the game 1-1 at 1:05 of the third period.Roy gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead at 6:03 of the third period.Ovechkin tied the game 2-2 at 14:17 of the third period.
The players
Brock Nelson
The Colorado Avalanche forward scored the game-winning goal in overtime to clinch his team’s playoff spot.
Alex Ovechkin
The Washington Capitals captain scored a power-play goal to tie the game 2-2 in the third period.
Gabriel Landeskog
The Avalanche forward scored the game-tying goal early in the third period to make it 1-1.
Logan Thompson
The Capitals goaltender made 21 saves in the losing effort.
Mackenzie Blackwood
The Avalanche goaltender made 20 saves to earn the win.
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What they’re saying
“We must have been a little sluggish to start, but we found a way to win and that’s what matters most. Clinching a playoff spot this early is a great accomplishment for our team.”
— Brock Nelson, Avalanche Forward
“It’s frustrating to let this one slip away, but we’ll regroup and keep fighting to get back into the playoff picture. There’s still a lot of hockey left to be played.”
— Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Captain
What’s next
The Avalanche will look to build momentum heading into the playoffs, while the Capitals will try to make a late-season push to earn a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The takeaway
Colorado’s ability to rally and win in overtime underscores their championship pedigree, as they became the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season. Meanwhile, the loss is a setback for Washington, who are running out of time to secure a postseason position.