When the Washington Capitals take the ice at Verizon Center Thursday they have a chance to do what others have not been able to do over the past few weeks — beat the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus enters the contest with a 16-game winning streak, just one victory shy of tying the NHL record set by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1992-93 season.
Washington entered the season with its sights set on the top of the Metropolitan division. However, after three months, the Caps find themselves siting in fourth place and looking up at the Blue Jackets.
Columbus has been, without a doubt, the early surprise of the season.