Blue Jackets shut out Capitals, win fourth straight

COLUMBUS --Sergei Bobrovsky made 13 of his 20 saves in the third period, and the Columbus Blue Jackets won their fourth straight game by defeating the Washington Capitals 3-0 at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday.

Bobrovsky has three shutouts this season and 27 in his NHL career. It was his first shutout against the Capitals in 25 career games.
"The day after tomorrow is the next game," he said. "We're going to enjoy tonight and get ready to work again."
WATCH: [All Capitals vs. Blue Jackets highlights]
Anthony Duclair, Nick Foligno and Artemi Panarin scored for the Blue Jackets (32-20-3).
Columbus is in third place in the Metropolitan Division, two points behind second-place Washington.
Braden Holtby made 29 saves for the Capitals (31-19-7), who began a six-game trip after a 4-1-1 homestand and have lost two of their past three.

The Capitals were shut out for the fourth time this season and second time in six games.
"I don't worry about scoring goals," Holtby said. "I try focus on my job and our job defensively and we need to do a better job than that."
Duclair made it 1-0 on a 2-on-1 at 6:32 of the second period with his first goal in nine games. His shot from the left face-off circle went through Holtby's five-hole.
"I was thinking pass first then I saw the pads open up for me," Duclair said.
Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson, who missed the final 11:32 of the first period after a check from Capitals forward Tom Wilson, had a breakaway at 7:35, but Holtby made the save.

Through two periods, the Blue Jackets had all three power plays, each of which came in the first, and a 24-7 shot advantage.
Foligno said circumstances helped Columbus control the game. Washington defeated the Los Angeles Kings 6-4 at home Monday. The Blue Jackets' practice Monday was canceled because of a gas leak near Nationwide Arena.
"They're coming off a back-to-back," he said. "We had an unfortunate day off yesterday. I think it got our energy to be at an all-time high here for this game knowing how important it was.
"That was a pretty dominating performance from our team against a really good team. Obviously you can use the excuse they played last night but that's the way this league works, and you've got to take advantage of it."
Foligno made it 2-0 with 3:48 left in the third period on a snap shot from between the circles. He entered the zone and dropped the puck to Seth Jones, who gave it back to Foligno to his left.
Columbus had outshot Washington 31-15 before Holtby was pulled for an extra attacker with 2:44 left in regulation.
Panarin scored into an empty net with 10 seconds remaining for the 3-0 final.

"They did a better job breaking out the puck tonight than we did," Capitals coach Todd Reirden said. "We didn't get the opportunity to do that. The early penalties in the first took us out of our flow and our rhythm.
"It forced us to overuse guys. When you're in a back-to-back you need to use all your guys."

They said it

"It wasn't our night. Those are big points. We've got to make sure we're playing a little bit better in these divisional rivalry games." -- Capitals forward Tom Wilson
"[The Capitals] looked a little sluggish, back-to-back games, but they're still a very good team. I loved our energy. Our morning skate today was full of energy and crisp." -- Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella

Need to know

Both of Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin's shots came in the third period. He leads the NHL with 38 goals. … Columbus went 0-for-4 on the power play after going 5-for-12 in its previous six games. … Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson played his 500th NHL game, all for Columbus. … Duclair's two game-winning goals this season have been against the Capitals. The other was in a 2-1 home victory Nov. 9. … Panarin has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in his past eight games and 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in his past 21. … The Blue Jackets won 33 of 51 face-offs (65 percent), led by center Alex Wennberg winning 15 of 18 (83 percent).

What's next

Capitals: At the San Jose Sharks on Thursday (10:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, NBCSWA, NHL.TV)
Blue Jackets:Host the New York Islanders on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FS-O, MSG+, NHL.TV)