Capitals get shutout by Blue Jackets
If you thought the Washington Capitals played bad one week ago they played worse in the rematch to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Washington Capitals were shutout for the first time this season at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets as they came away with a 3-0 win. The Capitals were shutout by netminder Joonas Korpisalo, who made 30 saves in the win. Braden Holtby stopped 18 of 21 shots for an .857 save percentage.
The Blue Jackets took a 1-0 lead at 11:32 when Eric Robinson banged one in at the crease, finishing a backhanded pass from Alexandre Texier. The Blue Jackets dominated right from the opening face-off and led 1-0 after 20 with a 14-8 edge in shots.
The Caps held the Blue Jackets off the scoresheet in the second period and played much better outshooting the Blue Jackets 8-2. 1-0 remained the score entering the final period.
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32 seconds into the third Oliver Bjorkstrand doubled the Blue Jackets lead with a goal right from the doorstep off a pass from Guastav Nyquist going past the blocker of Holtby.
Bjorkstrand notched his second of the game at 8:46 finishing off a breakaway for his ninth goal of the season.
The Caps outshot the Blue Jackets 14-5 in the third and 30-21 overall but couldn’t get anything through as they dropped their second straight loss to the Jackets in the span of a week.
The Caps have yet to solve Korpisalo, who’s now 3-0-0 with a 1.08 goals-against average and a .966 save percentage against Washington. In their win on Dec. 9 at Capital One Arena, Korpisalo made 37 saves.
Capitals coach Todd Reirden told NHL.com:
"“He’s played really well the two games against us (this season). We’ve got to find a way to get in front of him some more, get more into the interior, and make things more difficult for him.”"
The Blue Jackets currently ride a four game point streak now with their two wins over Washington. The Capitals lost their first road game in six contests and have won eight of their last 10 with both losses coming to the Blue Jackets.
The Capitals went 0-for-5 on the power play while their penalty kill killed off two penalties. The Blue Jackets had the edge in face-offs 52%-49%.
"“We were second on pucks. Slow. Poor execution when we had the puck, as well as lack of attention to detail.”"
Next. Stars of the Week. dark
The Capitals have a few days off before taking on the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.