The loss ends Columbus’ winning streak at 16, just one shy of tying the National Hockey League record. In a bit of scheduling irony, Washington will be trying to stop Columbus from tying the mark set by the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins – the Capitals’ bitter rivals. “I’ll say a little more zip to it, a little more emotion than some other games”. “It was just a different era”.
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Yes, the Blue Jackets finished the first period facing their first multi-goal deficit since this streak began November 29, and never recovered. Goals were still being produced at a high-rate and goaltenders would be lucky to post a goals-against-average in the 2.50-3.00 range.
When last season mercifully came to an end for the Columbus Blue Jackets, there was regret, of course, and anger and disappointment. Throughout the streak, Columbus thrived with balanced scoring, strong goaltending and occasional puck luck – all elements the Capitals had as they climbed to a 4-0 lead through two periods. Yes, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was yanked after allowing five goals for the first time since the season-opener.
“Ignorance is bliss in this situation”, captain Nick Foligno said. Yet the challenge of the hottest team in the league is still in front of the Rangers. And the sport has evolved significantly. “When you’re off two days it can feel like you’ve never played”, he said. This was the first game between these teams since a stunning blockbuster trade last June, when they swapped All-Star defensemen, with the Predators getting P.K. Subban.
McEachern doesn’t think the ’92-93 Penguins could even fit under today’s $73 million salary cap.
Notes & quotes: F Pavel Buchnevich, who has been practicing in a non-contact jersey, practiced fully and was assigned to AHL Hartford, where Vigneault said he will play Saturday night for the Wolf Pack and stay there on a “day-to-day” basis before the Rangers decide when to bring him back.
It didn’t take the Capitals long to strike against the streaking Blue Jackets. It’s also worth remembering that Pittsburgh’s streak ended with a 6-6 tie at New Jersey.
Columbus won the first two matchups between the teams – one in overtime – and leads Washington by seven points in the Metropolitan Division.
“We handled ourselves well throughout it”, winger Boone Jenner said.
Numerous emotions are the same.
Now, the Blue Jackets have their own category on the crawler at the bottom of the screen on ESPN.
“No”, he said. “I’d like to keep it in the Penguins family”. If you win a lot, you gain attention.
With 45 games left in the season and their focus on the playoffs this spring, Tortorella is giving the Blue Jackets the day off Friday before facing the Rangers while hoping players learn from the streak.
As the wins have piled up, there’s been a curious mix of good-natured joking about the streak and good old-fashioned superstition about not wanting to mess things up.
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Samuelsson isn’t so sure that was the cause of the Penguins’ collapse. They were eager to curb Columbus’ run, with Burakovsky saying earlier Thursday, “It’s going to be a really fun moment for us to end it”.
