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Capitals drop overtime contest to Blue Jackets in NHL 20 simulation

By Michael Marzzacco

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 23: Linesman Pierre Racicot #65 drops the puck for Alexander Wennberg #10 of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Washington defeated Columbus 6-3 to win the series 4-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pierre Racicot;Alexander Wennberg;Evgeny Kuznetsov
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 23: Linesman Pierre Racicot #65 drops the puck for Alexander Wennberg #10 of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Washington defeated Columbus 6-3 to win the series 4-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pierre Racicot;Alexander Wennberg;Evgeny Kuznetsov /
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The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets played an entertaining game even if it was in the virtual world in NHL 20.

The Washington Capitals fought but ultimately came up short in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in NHL 20 after an inspiring response after each time Columbus scored.

There was a slight scare with Michal Kempny getting hit on the boards and leaving the game. There was no call on the play and he didn’t return to the game.

The Blue Jackets would get a power-play chance at 16:32 when Jonas Siegenthaler was called for hooking. Pierre-Luc Dubois would score on a shot from downtown to give Columbus the 1-0 lead to fire the cannon at the 18-minute mark. Ryan Murray and Markus Nutivaara had the assists.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov would even the score off a rebound from a shot by Alex Ovechkin 59 seconds later for his 13th goal of the season. T.J. Oshie was credited with the secondary assist. Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo was unable to make the stop after his blocker stop on Ovechkin’s shot deflected to Kuznetsov’s stick.

1-1 was the score after 20 with shots even at 12 apiece. The Caps were outhit 9-2 while winning seven of the 10 face-offs.

The second period was clean with no penalties and both teams traded goals once again. The Blue Jackets regained their lead with an ugly goal from Oliver Bjorkstrand that snuck right through Braden Holtby‘s legs for him to bang it in at 8:57.

The Caps would even things up with Brendan Leipsic undressing a defender from behind the goal near the boards. Leipsic deked him out and whiffed a shot past Korpisalo for his 11th goal of the season. Nic Dowd and Dmitry Orlov had the helpers.

2-2 was the score after two periods and shots were, you guessed it, even at 21 apiece.

Each team traded goals in the third period. First the Blue Jackets went back in front with Gustav Nyquist banging in a rebound off of Holtby’s blocker to make it 3-2 at 1:25. Zachary Werenski and Korpisalo had the assists.

The Caps answered with a Lars Eller one-time blast off a pass from Carl Hagelin at 11:15 for his 17th goal of the season. Richard Panik was credited with the secondary assist.

The Caps would later survive a late scare after Jakub Vrana was called for a tripping minor to go to the box at 16:39. This time the Caps killed off the penalty to keep it tied as the game headed to overtime.

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Cam Atkinson would win it in overtime at 2:01 with a shot from downtown. The Caps at least left Columbus with a point. Can they bounce back tomorrow against the Ottawa Senators. Check back here to find out.

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