Game #55 Preview: Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets

Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 – 7:00
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Japers’ Rink

Washington Capitals, 31-18-7, 69 points, 2nd Metro, 5th East
@
Columbus Blue Jackets, 31-20-3, 65 points, 3rd Metro, 7th East

After their five game losing streak, the Columbus Blue Jackets went on a three game road trip to the Western Conference needing to make a statement, and they made one – the Blue Jackets return home with six points in hand following three straight victories, the most recent being Saturday’s come from behind victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

With the trade deadline approaching and rumors surrounding the team swirling, the Jackets were about to capitalize on their business trip, and Boone Jenner was one of the catalysts to that success as he returned from his infected ankle with a vengeance.

#CBJ Cam Atkinson was the star on Saturday, Josh Anderson scored a goal in all three games, but Boone Jenner … he was the beastliest of beasts in the 3-0 road trip: 3-2-5, plus-2 and won 49 of 68 face-offs (72.1 percent). Rest of the team combined won 52 face-offs on the trip.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 10, 2019

The Washington Capitals enter the game on the heels of a back to back as they hosted the Los Angeles Kings last night.

Player to Watch

Tom Wilson

This guy. After being suspended for yet another illegal check to the head and missing the first month of the season, Wilson has posted 14-11-25 in 36 games since his return to the Capitals’ lineup. Wilson has stepped into the top line role and produced well, with 20 even strength points and 50.1% CF%. Wilson, a thorn in Blue Jackets’ sides for the last few years, will have to be marked on the ice, even before he starts throwing borderline hits in the middle of the rink.

Jackets Notes

Cam Atkinson is playing his 500th NHL game tonight … Atkinson is one of three Blue Jackets in franchise history with two or more 30 goal seasons (Rick Nash, Geoff Sanderson) … The power play has scored 10 goals in the last 12 games, going 10-31 in that stretch … Columbus has 17 road wins thus far this season … Pierre-Luc Dubois now has 49 points, passing his total from his rookie season … Nick Foligno played 23:28 on Saturday night, his most ice time this season … Josh Anderson played his best game of the season Saturday, with six shots on goal and four hits in 21:11

The Other Bench

Evgeny Kuznetsov has 7-8-15, +7 over his last eight games … According to Japers’ Rink, Braden Holtby has a save percentage of .971 in three games against the Boston Bruins. His save percentage against everyone else is .900 in 36 games … The Capitals have the fourth worst power play on the road in the NHL, with just a 15% success rate

Season Series

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

Stats

Projected Lineups