Preview: Capitals Face Avalanche in Denver on Monday DENVER (Interstat) — The struggling Washington Capitals look to halt a two-game skid when they visit the surging Colorado Avalanche in a cross-conference NHL matchup Monday afternoon at Ball Arena. The Capitals (24-24-0) arrive after a 3-2 home loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. Washington has lost four of its last six games, struggling for consistency as it hovers around .500. Center Dylan Strome, a key player to watch, scored the team’s lone goal in that defeat and has points in three of his last five contests, including four goals and two assists over his last 10 games. They face a steep challenge against the Avalanche (33-13-0), who boast one of the league’s best records despite a 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Friday. That defeat snapped a three-game winning streak for Colorado, which had outscored opponents 17-5 during that run. Avalanche center Brock Nelson has been a driving force, recording eight goals and three assists in his last 10 appearances. He scored twice in the loss to Nashville and had a five-point afternoon (two goals, three assists) in two games from Jan. 8-10. The matchup pits Washington’s middling offense against Colorado’s high-powered attack and formidable home-ice advantage. The Capitals will need to tighten defensively after allowing three or more goals in seven of their last 10 games. For Washington, goalie Logan Thompson made 23 saves in the loss to San Jose. Colorado’s netminding situation was not specified in the provided information. This game opens a four-game Western road trip for the Capitals, who will travel to Vancouver next on Wednesday. The Avalanche continue a five-game homestand, hosting Anaheim on Wednesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST Monday.