Capitals at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to win consecutive games for just the second time this season when they host the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Columbus ended a six-game losing streak Thursday with a road victory over the Dallas Stars. It has not fared well at home lately, losing three in a row and six of seven. The Blue Jackets face the task of stopping Alex Ovechkin, who has notched four goals and three assists during his five-game points streak. The superstar tallied just 10 times over his first 31 contests this season. Washington is 3-1-1 in its last five overall games but has lost three straight and eight of 10 on the road.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSN Maryland (Washington), FSN Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (19-15-2): Mike Green skated for a third straight day on Friday and is hoping to return to action next week. Green has been sidelined since Nov. 11 with a strained groin. "I’m feeling better each time, and I’m starting to get my lungs back," he said. "I think we want to play this safe. Obviously, I’ve been out for a long time and want to get back, but I want to make sure I’m ready to play." Center Cody Eakin was recalled from the American Hockey League after Friday's victory over the Buffalo Sabres. In 19 games with the Capitals earlier this season, Eakin recorded three goals and three assists.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (10-22-5): Columbus paid a price in its road victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday as defenseman James Wisniewski suffered a broken left ankle when hit with a shot by Mike Ribeiro. Wisniewski is expected to be sidelined for six weeks. Dane Byers was assigned to Springfield of the AHL on Friday. The 25-year-old left wing registered seven penalty minutes in three games with the Blue Jackets this season, his first in the NHL since appearing in five contests with the New York Rangers in 2009-10.
OVERTIME:
1. Both teams have struggled on Saturdays as Washington has lost six of its last seven while Columbus has dropped eight of 10.
2. The Capitals have won nine of their last 12 meetings with Central Division clubs.