WASHINGTON – The CBJ delivered a clunker in its try for a historic win.
The Blue Jackets lost 5-0 to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, ending their winning streak at 16 games, one shy of the NHL record.
“That is one hell of a run by a hockey team and they should feel really good about it,” head coach John Tortorella said.
Columbus lost for the first time since November 26th, ending a captivating run that fell short of the 1992 to 1993 Pittsburgh Penguins’ record of 17 consecutive wins.
“We’re starting to forge an identity and a respect factor in this league and teams are understanding that we’re for real and we’re a team that takes a lot of pride in that,” said captain Nick Foligno.
The Capitals kept the Blue Jackets’ league-leading power play off the board in five chances, and Daniel Winnik, John Carlson, Nate Schmidt, Andre Burakovsky and Justin Williams scored to chase goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
Bobrovsky had been rock solid during the streak but stopped just 18 of 23 shots Thursday.
A game after being pulled himself, Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby made 29 saves, giving Columbus just its second shutout defeat this season.
The Capitals moved within five points of the Blue Jackets for the top spot in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division.
Another division opponent, the New York Rangers, come to Nationwide Arena Saturday night, trailing the Jackets by only three points.