Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Is Fred Davis Still Available In Your League?

Washington Capitals Introduce White Netting, Fan Reaction Largely Negative

Blue Jackets Vs. Capitals: Washington Wins First Preseason Game In 3-1 Victory Over Blue Jackets

With just one week left in the preseason, a few players on the Washington Capitals are still fighting to make the team. Three of those players were the shining stars Monday.

Playing on a line together, Chris Bourque, Mathieu Perreault and Cody Eakin combined for six points and led the Caps to a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Verizon Center.

Bourque had three assists, Perreault had a goal and an assist and Eakin had a goal for the Caps, each making an individual claim to one of the last remaining roster spots.

"It's the kind of game we need to keep playing," Bourque said. "Energizing the team, buzzing around their zone, creating scoring chances for ourselves and capitalizing on them like we did."

Dennis Wideman also scored for the Caps, who took an early lead on Wideman's power play goal and never looked back. Michal Neuvirth made 22 saves on 23 shots for his first preseason win. Vinny Prospal broke up Neuvirth's shutout bid with a rebound goal in the third period.

With just three preseason games left and inspired play from Bourque, Perreault and Eakin, head coach Bruce Boudreau's job of finalizing the roster just got tougher.

"They all played pretty good," Boudreau said. "The energy they showed was really uplifting. They really played well together. Sometimes if you play with guys you're more comfortable with, you don't feel like [you] have to impress them."

Blue Jackets Vs. Capitals: Mathieu Perreault's Power Play Goal Extends Caps' Lead To 3-0

The Capitals' power play struggles gave them fits at points last season. So far, it is giving the Blue Jackets all they can handle.

Mathieu Perreault's power play goal in the second period has given the Caps a 3-0 lead over the Blue Jackets at the end of the second period.

Roman Hamrlik and Chris Bourque assisted on Perreault's goal.  Bourque, Perreault and Cody Eakin have combined for six points (two goals, four assists) with Bourque leading all three with three assists. Those three players are competing for the final forward roster spots as the preseason comes to an end next week. The Caps are 2-for-5 on the power play.

The Caps have a 27-17 shot advantage over the Blue Jackets after 40 minutes. Michal Neuvirth has been stellar in net, stopping all 17 shots, including some in spectacular fashion.

Blue Jackets Vs. Capitals: Dennis Wideman, Cody Eakin Give Caps 2-0 Lead Over Blue Jackets After 20 Minutes

The Washington Capitals returned to Verizon Center for the first time since May Monday night. Meanwhile, Dennis Wideman returned to home ice for the first time since March after recovering from a leg injury. It did not take him long to get reacclimated.

Wideman's power play goal midway through the first period and Cody Eakin's late goal have given the Caps a 2-0 lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets after 20 minutes.

The Caps had several good chances early on, especially when Alexander Semin's rebound attempt on Mike Knuble's chance in the slot hit the post before Blue Jackets goalie Curtis Sanford covered the puck. Yet, Wideman got one past Sanford on a broken play during the Caps' second power play opportunity. Chris Bourque got the puck to Troy Brouwer along the left boards, who was looking for a cutting Alex Ovechkin. Brouwer's pass alluded Ovechkin, but Wideman turned it into a one-timer from the point to give the Caps a 1-0 lead at 9:48.

Eakin made it 2-0 at 15:00 when Bourque, battling behind the net, sent a backhanded centering pass to Eakin in the slot for his first goal of the preseason.

Capitals Vs. Blue Jackets: Troy Brouwer To Make Caps Debut, Michal Neuvirth To Start

With the Washington Capitals' preseason home opener Monday night at Verizon Center, there was an abbreviated morning skate Monday morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. The line combinations during the skate were as follows:

Alex Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - Troy Brouwer

Alexander Semin - Marcus Johansson - Mike Knuble

Cody Eakin - Mathieu Perreault - Chris Bourque

Matt Hendricks - Jeff Halpern - Jay Beagle

Jeff Schultz - Mike Green

Roman Hamrlik - Dennis Wideman

Dmitry Orlov - Patrick McNeill

Michal Neuvirth left the ice first, meaning he will likely get the start. Brouwer will make his debut on the top line with Ovechkin and Backstrom, who is making a return to the top line in his own right after spending time in training camp on the second line.

The scratches Monday are likely to be Jason Chimera, D.J. King, Mattias Sjogren, Joel Ward, Karl Alzner, John Carlson, John Erskine and Sean Collins.

Blue Jackets Vs. Capitals: Caps Seek First Preseason Win, Revenge Against Blue Jackets

The Capitals return to Verizon Center for the first time since early May and will look to please the hometown crowd and themselves by winning their first preseason game against the Blue Jackets.