Three Things: Keeping Things Interesting, Adam Fantilli's Legacy Moment, Powder Keg

By Will Chase on April 13, 2025 at 8:15 am
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Nationwide Arena.
© Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
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Just win, baby.

Adam Fantiili scored twice and Jet Greaves made 22 saves for his first career shutout as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Washington Capitals 7-0 on Saturday afternoon at Nationwide Arena to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Keeping Things Interesting

We've talked plenty about the Blue Jackets starts of late.

When things are going right and Dean Evason's club is on its game, the Blue Jackets are tough to beat.

In a Saturday matinee against the league-best Capitals, Zach Werenski made sure that's how the day would go.

One minute into the first period, Werenski (21) scored his first goal in 18 games to continue a three-game point streak (one goal, two assists). It's his first goal since Feb. 22 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Sean Monahan (34) extended his three-game point streak (two goals, two assists) with an assist. Dante Fabbro added his 17th assist.

With the goal, Werenski broke his own record set last year for most goals by a defenseman in Blue Jackets history. He also picked up his 77th point, the fourth-best point season in franchise history. 

It didn’t take long to continue the scoring theme.

Kent Johnson (23) scored at 4:45 to give Columbus the 2-0 lead with James van Riemsdyk getting his 17th assist. Johnson is on a three-game point streak (one goal, four assists).

A third goal was taken away after Denton Mateychuk's shot along the boards went directly off an official's skate and into a wide-open net as Shepard anticipated the puck around the boards.

Adam Fantilli's Legacy Moment

Adam Fantilli has done many great things to begin his NHL career. Earlier this week, the 20-year-old became the first player from his draft class to score 25 goals in a season.

In January, he recorded his first career hat trick in Toronto, an hour from his hometown of Nobleton. Fantilli recorded his second hat trick at Madison Square Garden in March.

On Saturday, in front of a nationally televised audience, Fantilli had himself a legacy moment.

Scoring twice to help lead the Jackets past the Capitals, his first-period goal started at one end, beginning with a nice, clean hit on standout rookie Ryan Leonard, who was playing in his sixth career game. On the same shift, just moments later, Fantilli scored at the other end at 19:24 for his 26th.

Kent Johnson (32) and van Riemsdyk (18) each picked up their second assists of the day. All part of the same sequence following the goal and hit on Leonard, Tom Wilson was given a misconduct for abuse of officials as part of the fracas, and standing up for his teammate.

During the intermission on ABC, Mark Messier called Fantilli's shift, "The stuff that legends are made of."

In the second period at 2:01, Fantilli scored his second of the game, 27th of the season, with Mateychuk getting his ninth assist.

Powder Keg

Alex Ovechkin did not travel for Saturday’s game as the Caps get set for the playoffs. Jakob Chychrun missed his second straight game due to illness. Hunter Shepard started in goal, making his fifth career start and first this season. Jake Christiansen missed the game for Columbus due to an upper-body injury suffered on Thursday. Jordan Harris played for the first time since Feb. 8.

Saturday's 7-0 loss was Washington's most lopsided defeat all season. As you would expect in such a game with the score out of hand, it was only a matter of time before the fireworks really got started.

Leonard, who was observed for a concussion after the hit by Fantilli, lost a fight against Sean Kuraly in the second period. Kuraly had to get his hands patched up, but returned. Then van Riemsdyk got into it with Rasmus Sandin.

Saturday's game had 76 combined penalty minutes between the two clubs. With the rematch set for Sunday and lineup regulars, including Ovechkin, expected to play, Sunday's game figures to have even more spice. It helps that the Jackets are still alive in the playoff race following the Montreal Canadiens' 1-0 overtime loss Saturday night to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

To The Capital

The Blue Jackets conclude their weekend home-and-home series with the Capitals on Sunday, April 13, at 6 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena. The Blue Jackets are 1-10-0 in the second of back-to-back games this season.

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