Recap of CBJ v CAR is coming tomorrow in first “Mood Monday… of 2023; same with WJC 2023 recap. Onto the main story:
The Columbus Blue Jackets conclude they're back to back with travel in the nation's Captial of Washington, DC at Capital One Arena against the Washington Capitals.
Washington announced before the Columbus home game against Carolina that forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson will return for their regular season debuts against the Jackets.
Sure, why not just let every hurt player return against the worst team in the conference. Just throw the head coach on the ice too, may get a winning result.
This continues to be a record chasing season for Alexander Ovechkin; as he is approaching his 30th goal of the season. Every season except the COVID reduced 2020-2021 bubble season did Ovi have a 30 goal season.
With both of what is normally Ovechkin's top line back, I expect them to slide in and help their push to the postseason.
Projected Lineups
Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin--Nicklas Backstrom--Tom Wilson Connor Sheary--Evgney Kuznetsov--Dylan Strome Marcus Johansson--Lars Eller--TJ Oshie Anthony Mantha--Nick Dowd--Garnet Hathaway
Erik Gustafsson--Trevor van Riemsdyk Dmitry Orlov--Nick Jensen Martin Fehervary--Matt Irwin
Charlie Lindgren Darcy Kuemper
Scratched -- Nicolas Aube-Kuebel, Sonny Milano, Alex Alexeyev
Injured -- Carl Hagelin, Connor Brown, John Carlson
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau--Kent Johnson--Emil Bemstrom Gustav Nyquist--Jack Roslovic--Patrik Laine Liam Foudy--Cole Sillinger--Kirill Marchenko Carson Meyer--Sean Kuraly--Mathieu Olivier
Vladislav Gavrikov--Andrew Peeke Tim Breni--Erik Gudbranson Gavin Bayreuther--Marcus Bjork
Elvis Merzlikins Joonas Korpisalo
Scratched -- Eric Robinson, Adam Boqvist
Injured -- Zach Werenski, Jakub Voracek, Jake Bean, Nick Blankenburg, Justin Danforth, Daniil Tarasov, Yegor Chinakov
Players to Watch
Washington -- Nicklas Backstrom -- first game back after massive offseason surgery
Columbus -- Liam Foudy -- no points since November 4, in the Global Series. He must get going.
Final Score
WSH -- 5 CBJ -- 1