The Blue Jackets wanted to end their three-game road trip on a positive note, and in a game that pitted two struggling teams against one another, the visiting side could not muster much in the nation’s capital and the Blue Jackets lost 4-1.
Washington scored a pair of goals in the second period – including the game-winner by Brooks Laich – to send the Blue Jackets to their fourth consecutive loss and third straight on the road trip. Artem Anisimov, who has been searching for some offense in the first few weeks of the season, scored the lone goal for Columbus and his first since opening night. But it was too little, too late against a Capitals team that can create offense at the flip of a switch.
Columbus gave the Capitals’ league-best power play some help, too, taking ill-advised penalties and providing additional opportunities for Alex Ovechkin and company.
Martin Erat, a name Blue Jackets know quite well from his days in Nashville, picked up three assists on the night and was named the game’s No. 1 star. The biggest source of frustration was Holtby, who had been scuffling a bit entering the game but gave the Capitals a lift with some timely saves as the Blue Jackets started fast and tallied 11 shots in the first period.
No time to linger on this game, though; the Blue Jackets head home to Columbus face the Vancouver Canucks in the first of four consecutive games at Nationwide Arena. Columbus will eight of its next nine on home ice, with the road contest coming Nov. 1 at Pittsburgh.
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