Once Upon A Time In Las Vegas
The Columbus Blue Jackets face the Washington Capitals with both teams on opposite ends of the standings this season. The Blue Jackets have a 12-24-2 record and with only two wins in their last 10 games are in last place in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals have a 22 14 6 record and with seven wins in their last 10 games have leaped into fourth place in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams look to improve within the division and the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game looks to be a good one as a result.
The Blue Jackets are having a season to forget with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.59 goals per game. Johnny Gaudreau, Jack Roslovic, and Gustav Nyquist have scored 22 goals and 53 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only four active skaters have eight goals or more while only four active skaters have eight assists or more and opposing defenses can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.
The offense has been awful but the defense has let the Blue Jackets down this season, allowing 3.97 goals per game with 13 goals in the last three games. Vladislav Gavrikov and Erik Gudbranson have combined for 2.3 defensive point shares but the rest of the defense has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has struggled with a .861 save percentage and a 4.78 goals-against average on 440 shots.