Two teams playing good hockey will meet Friday night at the Ball Arena in Denver.

The Washington Capitals (10-4-1, in the Metropolitan Division) will play the Colorado Avalanche (9-8, in the Central Division) in a game that starts at 9 p.m. ET. You can watch it on ESPN+ (introductory discount).

Washington is starting a three-game road trip. The Capitals, 3-0-1 on the road, are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Capitals led until the final minute when Mitch Marner tied the game for the Maple Leafs and John Tavares scored the overtime winner.

The Capitals led 3-1 on goals by Taylor Raddysh, Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas before a turnover by Tom Wilson ended with Nylander beating Logan Thompson. Dowd’s penalty became one mistake too many, and Washington lost for just the fifth time in 15 games this season.

Logan Thompson had 31 saves and lost for the first time since Washington acquired him from Vegas last summer.

Dylan Strome leads the Capitals with 23 points (5 goals, 18 assists) and Alexander Ovechkin (10 goals, 9 assists) and Connor McMichael (10 goals, 7 assists) rank second and third in team scoring.

Colorado is 6-5-0 at home following a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night.

Mikko Rantanen scored twice in the third period to complete his ninth career hat trick in that game.

Artturi Lehkonen also scored and Alexandar Georgiev made 13 saves for the Avalanche.

Nathan MacKinnon, who had three assists, has at least one point in 16 of 17 games this season and all 10 home games.

Colorado won despite struggling on the power play. The Avalanche didn’t have a shot on goal in their first three man-advantages and had trouble generating any momentum.

MacKinnon leads the team in points with 33 (7 goals, 26 assists), followed by Cal Makar (6 goals, 19 assists) and Mikko Rantanen (12 goals, 13 assists).

Alexandar Georgiev (4-5-0, 3.56 goals-against average) and Justus Annunen (5-2-0, 2.64 GAA) have split the goaltending duties.