Each remaining game is the most important of the season. The Blue Jackets must win out, and the Canadiens must lose out, for Columbus to make the postseason. Standing in the way on Saturday were the number one seed Capitals. Fortunately, the Caps were short-handed in this one, missing Ovechkin and starting a career AHL goalie.
In a rare mantinee game, broadcast nationally on ABC, the Blue Jackets utterly destroyed the Capitals.
1st Period
The Blue Jackets struck early when Monahan gathered the puck across the slot and made a short pass to Werenski. Z went far side on Shepherd for his 21st of the season, breaking his own franchise record for goals in a season by a defenseman.