NOTEBOOK:

Capitals: They’re coming off a 6-3 loss at Nashville on Tuesday and practiced Wednesday at the Pepsi Center. The Caps, who are 7-2-1 when they have one day off between games, are on a two-game road trip. … Washington went 2-0 against Colorado last season and is on a six-game winning streak in the series. The Caps were 11-2-1 against Central Division teams last season. … Defenseman Matt Niskanen returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing 13 games with a thumb injury.

Avalanche: Newcomer Vladislav Kamenev, who was recalled from San Antonio of the American Hockey League on Tuesday after being acquired from Nashville in the Nov. 4 trade involving Matt Duchene, will make his club debut and center a line with Sven Andrighetto and Russian countryman Nail Yakupov. Kamenev, 21, who has played just two career NHL games — both with the Predators last season — doesn’t speak English, but Yakupov helped him indirectly answer questions Wednesday. “The trade’s better for him,” Yakupov said, in response if he’s happy to be in Colorado. “It’s a good opportunity for him to be here with the young guys, and he’s looking forward to being here.” … Center Tyson Jost, who has missed the last eight games with a second lower-body injury, has been cleared to practice but isn’t ready to play in a game, coach Jared Bednar said. Jost will be scratched along with forward Gabriel Bourque and defensemen Chris Bigras and Andrei Mironov. … Center Carl Soderberg’s wife, Caroline, gave birth to the couple’s second child, a boy, last week when the Avs were in Sweden. Soderberg did not travel with the team to his homeland so he could be with his wife. … Semyon Varlamov will start in goal. — Mike Chambers, The Denver Post