The Jackets battled back from a 3-0 deficit against the Washington Capitals Sunday to come within a goal of tying the game, but ultimately fell by a score of 3-2.
The loss marked the first time this season that the Jackets have lost three consecutive games. With the Penguins win over Carolina earlier in the day, the Jackets move to third in the Metro Division with four games left to play in the regular season.
The first period was a spirited 20 minutes. But in the second period, the Jackets allowed two Washington goals in the first three minutes of play before the Capitals added a third halfway through the period.
The Jackets fought back in the third. But it was a costly battle.
In a game marked by post-whistle scrums and roughing calls, it was early in the final frame when Zach Werenski absorbed a hit against the boards from Alexander Ovechkin and left the game.
The remaining five defensemen answered the call by providing some offense.
First, Jack Johnson ended Braden Holtby’s shutout bid 9:22 into the third with a skilled individual effort. Johnson carried the puck into the zone, stick handled the puck around a Capital player or two and dragged the puck before rifling a shot past Holtby to make it 3-1.
Six minutes later, Kyle Quincey took a pass from Brandon Saad and fired a shot from the left point for his sixth of the season.
Sam Gagner provided the secondary assist on both goals and earned his 400th and 401st point in the NHL.
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