Caps Escapes Columbus

Capitals 4, Blue Jackets 3 OT
Scoresheet - Wash Post

The first time Alex Ovechkin played the Columbus Blue Jackets he made a statement to the NHL scoring 2 goals. Who could forget his opening shift when he took a defender into the boards breaking one of the plexi-glass holders and the near standing ovation Ovechkin got as his image graced the jumbo-tron. The Capitals certainly have come a long way.

The Caps came out sluggish once again falling into a two goal deficit in the first (one of which was a 3 on 5 shortie goal by Rick Nash). The Caps battle back with a couple of goals by Ovie (his 44th) and Alex Semin. Then the BJs got a break from Bill McCreary when the referee bumped into Shaone Morrisonn allowing Rick Nash an avenue around the big defender to give the home team the lead once more. Lucky for Morrisonn (and McCreary) Tom Poti scored his first of the season with six minutes left in the third to tie.

In overtime, Alex Ovechkin with his 45th goal of the season, snapped a wrister past Fredrik Norrena who had to fill in for Pascal LeClaire who suffered a sprained neck. The Caps once again come from behind to gain two points and it's a good thing they did. The Southeast Division just became a log jam with 4 teams within a point of first place.

The Capitals got some help tonight from the Hurricanes and Thrashers who both lost, but the Florida Panthers would not go quietly slamming the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-0 and tied the Capitals with 55 points. This division, with the slow start each team had, looks like it will go to the wire with only the first place team going into the playoffs. I still think the top two teams of the division will be able to make the post season because it is so tight and these teams need all the wins they can muster.

Tom Poti had his best game as a Capital. He blocked an important goal when Brent Johnson was down and out. Besides having a great game defensively, he scored his first ever goal as a Capital to tie the game at three sending it to overtime. Poti finished this game with a goal, an assist and a plus 1. While Poti was never acquired to score goals, that big zero in his goal column was an eye sore for the veteran player.

The Caps don't have much time to rest as they take on the Flyers tomorrow night. The Caps have an opportunity to take first in the division if they can earn two points against the upstart Philly squad that won their game with Atlanta. If the Capitals can keep winning, they will find themselves in the playoffs. If they keep winning.