There's no denying this is a pivotal week.
Thirty games leaves a lot of time in an NHL season, to be sure. But with a combined 5-8-1 record since Christmas and a slip to the fourth spot in the Metropolitan standings, three games against Metropolitan Division competition all in the same week will go a long way in determining the playoff fate of this year's Columbus Blue Jackets.
Here's what's ahead.
Tonight: Capital Offense, Part One
The Washington Capitals will face off with the Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. tonight in Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets lost 4-3 on the road in their first tilt with the Capitals this year. Ovechkin and the Capitals enter the game on a slight skid themselves, with losses in their previous two games entering this match-up in Columbus.
Friday: Capital Offense, Part Two
Three days after the two teams go head-to-head in Columbus, the Blue Jackets and Capitals will meet in at Capital One Arena in D.C. for another 7 p.m. puck drop. Once again, Fox Sports Ohio will broadcast the contest.
Saturday: Devil in the Dealings
The Blue Jackets return home to Nationwide Arena for the second half of a back-to-back on Saturday. Their opponent will be the New Jersey Devils, who are currently in blazing competition with the Blue Jackets for playoff position in the Metro. The Blue Jackets are 1-1-0 against the Devils in two meetings, with the road team winning in both cases. Puck drops at 7 p.m. once again, and the game will be broadcast by Fox Sports Ohio.
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