Chychrun Scores Two as Capitals Defeat Blue Jackets
The Washington Capitals delivered a commanding performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets, winning 5-1. The standout of the game was Jakob Chychrun, who scored two key goals, leading the team to victory.
Capitals Exploit Blue Jackets’ Weaknesses
The Capitals took control early, scoring their first goal courtesy of Wilson at 16:29 of the second period. A skillful play initiated by Sourdif opened up an opportunity for Wilson, who found the net with a well-placed one-timer.
Chychrun Shines with Multiple Goals
Jakob Chychrun extended the Capitals’ lead to 3-0 by netting a power-play goal just 15 seconds before the end of the second period. He took a powerful shot from the point, showcasing his offensive talent. Chychrun’s impressive performance included scoring in three consecutive games, totaling four goals over this stretch. Furthermore, he has achieved an eight-game point streak, accumulating five goals and six assists.
Chychrun remarked on his recent success, stating that he is not overly focused on statistics. “I just come out and show up… and give my best effort for the team,” he stated. His composure under pressure has contributed significantly to the Capitals’ success.
Rapid Goals Shift the Momentum
Immediately following Chychrun’s goal, Carlson scored another for the Capitals with just three seconds remaining in the second period, pushing the score to 4-0. This quick succession of goals highlighted the Blue Jackets’ defensive lapses. Columbus defenseman Ivan Provorov acknowledged the missed opportunities, stating that a tighter scoreline could have changed the game’s dynamics.
Third Period Unfolds
In the third period, Martin Fehervary added to the Capitals’ tally, making it 5-0 with a one-timer from the right side at 4:05. The Blue Jackets did manage to score a consolation goal through Mateychuk at 5:50, reducing the deficit to 5-1.
Injury Concerns for Blue Jackets
Columbus faced additional challenges when forward Mathieu Olivier exited the game with an upper-body injury during the first period. Defenseman Zach Werenski suffered a similar fate late in the second period. The team was already missing forward Kirill Marchenko due to an upper-body injury sustained earlier in the day.
Historical Note
The goals scored by Chychrun and Carlson within a 12-second span set a new franchise record for the fastest two goals by defensemen in Capitals history. The previous record stood at 20 seconds, set back in January 1979.
Next Steps
The Capitals continued to perform well, while the Blue Jackets faced uncertainty regarding the status of their injured players. Evaluations for Olivier and Werenski are expected to take place on Tuesday.
