Sunday, December 7, 2025 – 7:00 PM ET
Capital One Arena – Washington, DC
TV: FDSNOH; Radio: 97.1 FM

Columbus Blue Jackets (13-9-6, 32 points, 8th Metro, 12th East)

at

Washington Capitals (17-9-3, 37 points, 1st Metro, 1st East)

Previously

The Blue Jackets traveled to South Florida to face the reeling Panthers, and once again blew a couple leads prior to losing in overtime, 7-6. Dean Evason afterward said the game was “a joke.” I would say the joke is this coach refusing to address what is clearly a systemic problem with this team and their late-game approach.

Now, the officiating was truly atrocious and there was one CBJ goal overturned that probably shouldn’t have been, and two Florida goals that counted that also should not have. But even a 7-4 regulation win would leave me with some concerns about the Columbus defense, penalty kill, and goaltending.

Elvis Merzlikins started his third game in a row, and while the Jackets earned points in all three games, there were diminishing returns with 3, then 5, then 7 goals allowed. Presumably we’ll see Jet Greaves back in net for this divisional battle.

Stats

WashingtonColumbus3.48 (2)GPG3.07 (12)2.48 (2)GAPG3.43 (26)16.7 (23)PP%19.1 (15)74.4 (28)PK%70.7 (30)52.9 (4)5v5 Shot Attempt %50.5 (15)53.4 (4)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %49.7 (19)10.9 (3)5v5 Shooting %9.3 (18)92.5 (5)5v5 Save %90.8 (15)Tom Wilson (17)G LeaderAdam Fantilli (11)J. Carlson, D. Strome (17)A LeaderZach Werenski (21)Tom Wilson (31)P LeaderZach Werenski (30)Tom Wilson (54)PIM LeaderMathieu Olivier (44)9-5-1Home/Road7-6-38-1-1Last 104-2-4

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri VoronkovAdam FantilliKirill MarchenkoKent JohnsonSean MonahanCole SillingerMiles WoodCharlie CoyleIsac LundestromYegor ChinakhovBrendan GaunceLuca Del Bel Belluz

Zach WerenskiIvan ProvorovDenton MateychukDamon SeversonBrendan SmithDante Fabbro

Jet GreavesElvis Merzlikins

Washington Capitals

Alex OvechkinDylan StromeAnthony BeauvillierAliaksei ProtasJustin SourdifTom WilsonConnor McMichaelNic DowdEthen FrankBrandon DuhaimeHendrix LapierreBogdan Trineyev

Martin FehervaryRasmus SandinJakob ChychrunMatt RoyDeclan ChisholmTrevor van Riemsdyk

Logan ThompsonCharlie Lindgren