Capitals shut down Blue Jackets' winning streak just shy of NHL record
WASHINGTON — The Columbus Blue Jackets will not be part of NHL history.
Instead, they’ll fall one win short of the longest streak in NHL history after a 5-0 loss to the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center on Thursday night, snapping a 16-game win streak. Their first loss since Nov. 26 means the Blue Jackets won’t equal the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins’ record that reached 17 games.
The attention paid to the Blue Jackets at Game 37 has been unlike anything customary at this point of an 82-game regular season. Both teams had extra motivation, and the media descended on Washington like it was a playoff game.
Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said the run had extra meaning for him, too.
“I just addressed the team,” Tortorella said. “I usually don’t go in the room — win or lose. All year long I haven’t been there. I’d be remiss if I didn’t. That is one helluva run by a hockey team. They should feel really good about it.”
Tortorella cited two factors critical to sustaining success to this level — goaltending and luck. The Capitals had more of it on Thursday, with their first goal by forward Daniel Winnik being scored off a rebound with traffic in front of the net, and the second a redirect off of defenseman John Carlson’s skate, both in the first period. Holtby made 29 saves for his fourth shutout of the season. Nate Schmidt, Andre Burakovsky and Justin Williams scored the other goals as the Capitals tilted the ice in the second and third periods.
Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was pulled early in the third period — only the second time this season — after giving up five goals on 23 shots.
“We have climbed on his back from Day 1,” Tortorella said of Bobrovsky, whose 2.03 goals-against average and .934 save percentage rank near the top of the league . “He has started his play from the World Cup; you could see where he was mentally after an off year last year. He’s a big reason why we go on this run.”
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Entering Thursday, the Blue Jackets’ winning streak met or exceeded 10 teams’ total wins for the season. Even though good fortune was needed, the Blue Jackets did not do it with smoke and mirrors: they ranked sixth in possession, fourth in scoring-chance percentage and gave up three or more goals just three times during the streak.
It’s that well-rounded play that has given them the best record in the league (27-6-4) and has them on the map as a legitimate contender.
“In this league, to do what they just did is very impressive,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said.
"Obviously, you look at it and it’s something to be proud of, I guess, as a group, and obviously just the way we’ve been playing I think factors into that," Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner said. "The results came because of that — doing the right things.”
Tortorella is intrigued by his team’s response because he'll be able to define it after adversity.
“I think they have a dynamic in the room that — we talked about this: Don’t hope you’re going to win, know you’re going to win,” Tortorella said. “I think we’ve crossed that bridge. We know we’re a good hockey club. Not one game is going to deter how we feel about ourselves."
Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said the streak was important because the team’s expectations of itself has elevated.
“I think that’s something that hasn’t been the case here on this team for a long time,” Foligno said. “We’re building that (winning) culture and identity.”