The Columbus Blue Jackets will head to Washington, D.C. to open against the Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After losing their regular season finale, 4-2, to the Nashville Predators, the Blue Jackets earned the first wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, where they draw the champions of the Metropolitan Division. Columbus finishes the season 45–30–7, accumulating 97 points.
The Blue Jackets are 1-3 on the season against the Capitals, last meeting on trade deadline day (Feb. 26) in Columbus with the Jackets winning, 5-1. The win was a pivotal one of sorts as the Blue Jackets went 13–4–2 to finish the season, surging into a playoff spot.
| Date | Venue | Goalie | Outcome | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DECEMBER 2, 2017 | CAPITAL ONE ARENA | SERGEI BOBROVSKY | LOST, 4-3 | DUBOIS: 2 ASSISTS |
| FEBRUARY 6, 2018 | NATIONWIDE ARENA | SERGEI BOBROVSKY | LOST, 3-2 | DUBINSKY: 1 GOAL |
| FEBRUARY 9, 2018 | CAPITAL ONE ARENA | SERGEI BOBROVSKY | LOST, 4-2 | PANARIN: 1 GOAL |
| FEBRUARY 26, 2018 | NATIONWIDE ARENA | SERGEI BOBROVSKY | WON, 5-1 | ATKINSON: 1 GOAL, 2 ASSISTS |
The Capitals finished atop the Metropolitan Division with a record of 49–26–7. They will have home ice in this first-round series against the Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets are 12–17–1–6 all time against the Washington Capitals. The two teams have never met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The NHL will announce the date and time of the series opener Sunday evening.
In other playoff matchups in the Eastern Conference:
- New Jersey (WC2) will travel to face Tampa Bay or Boston
- Toronto (3rd Atlantic) will travel to face Tampa Bay or Boston
- Philadelphia (3rd Metro) will travel to face Pittsburgh (2nd Metro)
Stick with 1st Ohio Battery for complete coverage of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
