Columbus Blue Jackets (11-14-4, seventh in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Washington Capitals (22-4-5, first in the Metropolitan Division)
Washington; Monday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Columbus comes into the matchup against Washington as losers of four in a row.
The Capitals are 3-1-1 against Metropolitan Division teams. Washington ranks fifth in the NHL recording 9.3 points per game, averaging 3.6 goals and 5.6 assists.
The Blue Jackets are 3-5-1 against the rest of their division. Columbus has given up 17 power-play goals, killing 79.3% of opponent chances.
The teams match up Monday for the first time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with 20 goals, adding 11 assists and
Andrew Peeke leads the Blue Jackets with a plus-one in two games played this season. Oliver Bjorkstrand has collected two goals and seven assists over the last 10 games for Columbus.
LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Jackets: 4-6-0, averaging 2.6 goals, 4.6 assists, 2.8 penalties and 6.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game with a .902 save percentage.
Capitals: 8-1-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 4.8 assists, 4.2 penalties and 11.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game with a .925 save percentage.
Capitals Injuries: Nicklas Backstrom: day to day (upper body).
Blue Jackets Injuries: Emil Bemstrom: day to day (upper body).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press