Game #44 Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals

Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals
Saturday, January 12, 2019 – 7:00 EST
Capital One Arena, Washington D.C.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Japers’ Rink

Columbus Blue Jackets, 25-15-3, 53 points, 3rd Metro, 6th East
@
Washington Capitals, 27-12-4, 58 points, 1st Metro, 3rd East

On the heels of Thursday’s … eventful win over the Nashville Predators that was played under the cloud of Sergei Bobrovsky’s not-a-suspension suspension from the team stemming from an “incident”, the Columbus Blue Jackets travel to the nation’s capital to take on the defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals. This will be the third matchup between the two clubs this season, with the two teams splitting the first two games in the series. Washington, leading the Metro, will be looking to put distance between themselves and challengers, while Columbus will look to take two points from their division leader and beat their second division leader of the week.

Ryan Murray is sick and did not travel to Washington with the team.

In Jackets team news:

#CBJ Sergei Bobrovsky will travel with club to Washington. No word yet on who is starting vs. #Caps

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 11, 2019

Kekalainen would not comment when asked if Bobrovsky has been asked to waive his no-move clause. #CBJ

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 11, 2019

Jarmo said the meeting with Bobrovsky this morning was with him & the whole team, then became players only meeting. #CBJ

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) January 11, 2019

Player to Watch

Sergei Bobrovsky

After Thursday’s drama, how can you not watch him? He may not play in tonight’s game, but his play and situation bears watching from now until his time in Columbus comes to an end, whenever it does. After his incident in Tampa Bay, if Bobrovsky does play, it will be interesting to watch for his response in net, as well as the team’s response around him. Will they circle the wagons and protect their netminder? Or are they frustrated with whatever antics occurred?

Stay tuned, Jackets fans. This may only just be getting started.

Jackets Notes

John Tortorella won his 600th career game as head coach on Thursday night, 154th with Columbus … Panarin’s first power play goal on Thursday snapped an 0-25 streak that lasted for 11 games … Thursday was the fourth game of the season with multiple power play goals, and first since November 9 … Boone Jenner scored his first goal since December 6 … Zach Werenski has 4-5-9 over his last nine games … Columbus is 5-2-1 in overtime this season

The Other Bench

The Capitals are 14-6-2 on the road this season, 9-2-1 against Eastern Conference opponents … TJ Oshie left the Capitals game on Thursday night to enter concussion protocol … Dmitry Orlov also was sent off for a concussion evaluation … Since his return from suspension this season, Tom Wilson has 13 goals

Season Series

11/09/2018 CBJ 2 @ WSH 1
12/08/2018 WSH 4 @ CBJ 0
01/12/2019 CBJ @ WSH
02/12/2019 WSH @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lineups