Womp, womp.
For most of this series, Sergei Bobrovsky had given the Blue Jackets a chance to win.
That was not the case tonight in an elimination game at Nationwide Arena. For the fourth time in four playoff appearances, the Blue Jackets were eliminated on home ice.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| CAPITALS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
It was a struggle for Bobrovsky, who had some encouraging moments but was dented for five goals on the Washington Capitals' first 24 shots of the game. You know the math: when you allow five, you need six to win. The Blue Jackets had sputtered offensively in the middle of this series when the Capitals made their move, and the home team needed a save or two along the way tonight.
Washington scored first. Then, Nick Foligno answered in the second period for the Blue Jackets. The Capitals came back with two of their own – penalty troubles sound familiar? – to take a 3-1 lead after two periods.
The Blue Jackets fought back, tried to chip away...but the wheels came off in the third period. The Capitals made it 4-2 early, which seemed manageable, but a Chandler Stephenson shorthanded goal gave the visitors a 5-2 lead in the third period and that dimmed the lights in Nationwide Arena.
Foligno's second goal of the game, and second of the playoffs, brought the Blue Jackets within 5-3 with plenty of time remaining, but Braden Holtby was a tough beat once again. After winning the first two games of this series on the road at Capital One Arena, the Blue Jackets folded and lost four straight. The offseason, and a bevy of questions, start now.
Injury Update
Nothing to update here.
Next Up
There is no "next up," sadly. We're gearing up for the offseason. Stay tuned to 1st Ohio Battery for season reviews, recaps, key summer storylines and more. Thanks for sticking with us all season long.
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