Prior to the Jackets game against the Capitals Friday night a comparison of the teams' respective special teams units likely wouldn't have painted Columbus in a good light. Washington entered the contest with the league's second-ranked PP unit while the Jackets placed 17th on the man-advantage and just 20th on the PK. A key point for the Jackets would have been staying out of the penalty box last night to avoid the potent Capitals PP.
Instead the Jackets took five minor penalties resulting in four PP opportunities for the Capitals. That wouldn't ordinarily seem to be a recipe for success for Columbus but their PK unit came up big keeping the Capitals scoreless on the man-advantage. More importantly, the Jackets converted on two of their four chances with James Wisniewski and Mark Letestu each netting a PP goal Friday in the 5 - 1 Columbus victory.
The Jackets PP has come up big in each of the team's last two games, both victories over conference foes. Against Tampa Bay earlier this week Columbus tallied two more PP goals, including the game-winner in the third period. Over those two contests the Jackets were successful on four of ten man-advantage opportunities.
The victory extended Columbus' current win streak to a season long five. They have outscored the opposition 21 - 9 during this stretch.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 shots and allowed only a John Carlson goal in the second period. He has won each of his four starts since returning from a groin injury on January 6th.
Cam Atkinson tallied two more goals bringing his season total to 15. He has five markers in his last five games and ranks second on the club behind Ryan Johansen's 18.
Johansen also scored and recorded an assist. Jack Johnson posted a multi-point performance with two assists.
The win pulls the Jackets within two points of a playoff spot with at least one game in hand over each of the three clubs ahead of them in the standings. They have a chance to further close the gap tonight as the Jackets are set to travel to Buffalo to take on the NHL's worst team in terms of standings points.